THE United Nations has donated essential health supplies to Nigeria in support of the government’s fight against Covid-19 pandemic.
TheICIR can report that the Nigerian office of the world body today received delivery of the health supplies on a flight funded by APM Terminals.
According to a press released signed by Eliana Drakopoulos, the Chief of Communications, United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Nigeria, “the supplies made up of 10,000 test kits, 15 oxygen concentrators, and various personal protective equipment (PPE), vaccines, IEHK/PEP kits, and other vital health supplies, will support the Nigerian Government’s COVID-19 Response Plan and UNICEF’s work with children and families in Nigeria.
The supplies are co-financed by the European Union (EU) and IHS Nigeria, the Nigerian subsidiary of IHS Towers.
The supplies will also support the Government of Nigeria, through the National Center for Disease Control (NCDC), to prevent and respond to the COVID-19 pandemic in affected states across the country.
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However, Eliana Drakopoulos added that additional COVID-19 response supplies are expected in a UN joint flight to be delivered to Nigeria in the coming days.
“We know that to limit the spread of the virus, it is important to test as many people as possible, especially those with recent travel history and those who came into contact with travelers. These test kits will support Nigeria’s drive to control the transmission of COVID-19 infections and support the Government’s ongoing strong efforts to protect the country from an escalating pandemic,” said Edward Kallon, the United Nation’s Resident Coordinator in Nigeria.
Kallon added that “since the outbreak of the coronavirus in Nigeria in late February, the UN has been supporting the Government of Nigeria to respond to the pandemic through risk communications and community engagement, infection prevention and control, epidemiology/surveillance and management of coronavirus cases”.
The organisation noted that working with government and other partners, the UN is developing and disseminating messages, infographics, and audio-visual material informing the public about the risks of COVID-19 across the country, and how to protect oneself.
“Working closely together with the Government and other partners, including the private sector, is the surest way of preventing and containing the COVID-19 pandemic. We are grateful for the support of the EU and IHS in getting these vital supplies to strengthen the UN’s efforts in helping the Government of Nigeria to address the COVID-19 challenge,” said Edward Kallon.
As at the time of filling this report, according to the available figure on TheICIR‘s Covid-19 dashboard, Nigeria is currently treating two hundred and sixty-seven(267) Covid-19 patients. This stemmed from the 407 total recorded cases, 128 discharged patients and 12 deaths.
Samad Uthman is a multimedia journalist with the International Centre for Investigative Reporting. He tweets @sarmerdk2 and can be shot through [email protected]