The Lumine News

Tag: NCDC

  • CR NYSC Gets 665 Corps Members, Undergoes Covid – 19 Testing As Camp Reopens Today Across The County

    CR NYSC Gets 665 Corps Members, Undergoes Covid – 19 Testing As Camp Reopens Today Across The County

    By Elijah Ugani 

    In line with the Covid 19 protocol, Cross River State gets 650 corps members for the 2020 Batch B Stream 1A service year at NYSC permanent orientation camp, Obubra Local Government Area, Cross River State.

    This was disclosed by the State Coordinator, when contacted by The Lumine News.

    His words “we are expecting 665 corps members because of the Covid – 19 protocol. We hope to get the best out of this number. We will have a shortfall compared to the expected number of corps members.

    “We are in the camp prepared to received the corps members for the three weeks intensive drilling. With the few number of corps members expected in the camp, we are going to have shortage of corps members to deploy to various establishments in the state”

    Nakanda further disclosed that “we are grateful to NCDC for the Covid – 19 testing at the entrance of the camp for both NYSC officials and corps members. With this testing, we are confident of a successful orientation camping”

    Recall that NYSC Orientation camps were shut down across the country following the outbreak of the dreaded Covid – 19 pandemic. A development that almost frustrated the hopes of prospective corps members. However, with the reopening of orientation camps across the country, there seemed to be jubilation, especially among graduates that awaits the mandatory one year national service.

  • COVID-19: All Eligible Public, Private Hospitals Nationwide To Become Sample Collection Sites – Dr. Ehanire

    COVID-19: All Eligible Public, Private Hospitals Nationwide To Become Sample Collection Sites – Dr. Ehanire

    By Grace Anyanwu

    The Honourable Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire has stated that it is the plan of the Federal Ministry of Health to boost overall COVID-19 sample collection, by preparing all eligible public and private hospitals nationwide to become collection sites. The Minister disclosed this at the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 Press Briefing held on Monday, 6th July, 2020.

    He stated that this will require working with State governments and the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHCDA) to identify the facilities and the space within them, to conduct training for the personnel selected and supply both PPE’s and sample collection kits, as well as the logistics to go around to recover test samples, and to better utilize available laboratory assets in the country, which even now are capable of handling far more cases than they presently do.

    “If logistics around samples collection and delivery to test sites are better organized, a lot more will be achieved”, he stated.

    Speaking further, Dr. Ehanire disclosed that the current figure of tested samples in the country stands at 152.952 of which 28,711 are confirmed COVID-19 positive cases while 11,665 have been treated and discharged with 645 fatalities, majority of them have underlying illnesses.

    Similarly,the Minister also revealed that a total no of 15,532 cases was confirmed from 74,580 with 303 death that was recorded was recorded for the month of June alone.

    The Minister also appealed to citizens especially those that are COVID-19 positive who show no symptoms at all, not to go to treatment centers but to cooperate with health officials and understand that measures taken are protective and it is in the interest of the public.

    He informed that a 17 man team of the Federal Ministry of Health, led by the Executive Director of National Primary Health Development Agency, left Abuja for Calabar to engage with the Cross River State government in setting up their COVID-19 response and aligning it with the national response.

    According to the Minster, Agencies and different Departments of the Ministry of Health, such as NCDC, Hospital Services, and Family Health are well represented in the delegation to make sure that there is equal level playing ground between the Federal and State service delivery pillars and also to ensure that the disruption of routine medical services, which has been observed in the State, is minimized or eliminated in Cross River State. “We have called also called on the Cross River State National Medical Association (NMA), to suspend their strike action and receive the Ministry’s delegation.”

    Dr. Ehanire hinted that His Excellency, Governor Ayeade has requested that a senior immigration officer is to map and study the border challenges with Cameroon, as well as a Port Health officer to assess risks posed by sea travelers arriving Cross Rivers State ports particular from neighboring Central African countries of Congo, Gabon, Cameroon, and Angola etc.
    He informed that arrangements are under way to beef up security at the Federal Medical Center, Lokoja for protections of staff and patients. “The Federal government will do all it can to attend to the needs of the citizens, while we seek ways to engage the State authorities.”

    The Minister revealed that the Federal Government through the NCDC has launched an E-Learning platforms on Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) for health workers. He stated that Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) have been distributed to health facilities in good numbers and the use is being monitored to reduce wastage. “I urge our health workers to ensure appropriate use. “I also particularly warn against unprofessional disposal of used PPE’s in common waste dumps, where scavengers have been seen to pick them up for risky reuse.” This is dangerous and sure pathway to promoting community transmission.” “All COVID-19 waste is to be incinerated”, he added.

    The Minister also reminded Nigerians that testing for COVID-19 and treatment in government-run facility is totally free and urged them to report anyone who demanded payment, for necessary action.

    Signed:

    Olujimi Oyetomi,
    Director, Information, Media & Public Relations.

  • NCDC Replies C’River Says No Plans To Transport Samples From One State To Another

    NCDC Replies C’River Says No Plans To Transport Samples From One State To Another

    By Elijah Ugani – Calabar

    The Nigerian Center for Disease Control NCDC has responded to the allegations by the Cross River State Commissioners of Information and Health that the commission intends to transport samples from other states suspected to be negative to test run the GeneXpert machine at the Nigerian Naval Referral Hospital, Calabar in a press briefing held on Friday 18th June, 2020.

    In a release by NCDC and sighted by TheLumineNews, indicates that the statements by the Cross River State Commissioners of Information and Health are misrepresentation of the Federal Ministry of Health’s COVID-19 testing strategy and efforts to protect Nigerians from this disease.

    “The statements by the Cross River State Commissioners of Information and Orientation and Health are a misinterpretation of the Federal Ministry of Health’s COVID-19 testing strategy and efforts to protect the health of Nigerians from this disease”

    In the release, NCDC explained that, “There are 400 sites in Nigeria with GeneXpert equipment for the diagnosis of tuberculosis. However, we have prioritised the rol-out of GeneXpert in States where there is a high level of community transmission and states with limited or no laboratory capacity for the diagnosis of COVID-19 at the moment.

    “These are Abia, Adamawa, Berue, Borno, Cross River, Lagos, Enugu, Kaduna, Kogi, Nasarawa, Osun, Oyo, Plateau, Rivers, Benue, and the FCT. Already, we have worked with NTBLCP and our partners to activated two GeneXpert laboratories in Kaduna and Nasarawa States. Eventually, we plar to roll out the GeneXpert testing sites for COVID-19 in every state in Nigeria.”

     

    As at the time of filing this report, the COVID-19 pandemic update as provided by NCDC is as seen below.

  • U.S Government Commissions Upgraded Cross River State Emergency Operation Center for COVID-19, Commends Cross River State

    U.S Government Commissions Upgraded Cross River State Emergency Operation Center for COVID-19, Commends Cross River State

    By Admin

    The United State Government on Tuesday through her Ambassador Mary Beth Leonard joined the cross river state Governor, Sir Ben Ayade to virtually commission an upgraded Emergency Operations Center (EOC) for Cross River State, which has been equipped with support of the American people to track and control the spread of the deadly COVID-19.

    Cross River is the first of the nine states to receive the EOC upgrade. The commissioned EOC comes with a new call center. The EOC is coordinating the Statewide public health response to the COVID-19 outbreak and other diseases of public health concerns.

    Commissioning the Centre virtually, United State Ambassador to Nigeria, Mary Beth Leonard commended the state government on several measures been instituted to curtail the spread of the disease and protect the health of Cross Riverians.

    She said the upgraded centers are now equipped as operational digital situation and communication rooms that powers and coordinate the state COVID response and other disease outbreaks, utilizing data integration, warehousing, and visualization to provide state officials transparent and real-time information on COVID-19.

    Her words “With the commissioning of these EOCs, Nigeria can better coordinate the COVID-19 outbreak response and surveillance activities, as well as any other emergent disease outbreaks or disasters, which will help to turn the tide of the pandemic within their state, ultimately the nation, and flatten the COVID-19 curve.”

    Speaking virtual from the Governor’s Office in Calabar, Cross River State Deputy Governor, Prof Ivara Ejemot Esu said “Though Cross River continues to have no documented cases, we need to be on our guard to do even more to ensure the COVID-19 pandemic is brought to a speedy end or controlled to the best of our ability in Nigeria.

    “We want seize this opportunity to continually invite USAID to come to cross river and strengthen our health system. We really appreciate this support”.

    The DG NCDC Dr Chikwe Ihekwazu, thanked The US Government for the support and pledged continued support to Cross River state who he said must be at the drivers seat and take full responsibility for the health of its people. He commended the state and asked for sustainability of the Upgraded EOC.

    On her part, the Commissioner for Health, Dr Betta Edu who was Physically present at the EOC, thanked the US government for the support, and held that the state is working closely with NCDC through the deployment of national Rapid Response Teams (RRTs) to support response activities in the state.

    Edu maintained that the EOC has a situation room and a call centre where staff are on 24 hours standby to receive calls from the public and track data/ information on COVID19.

    She thanked the US Government for their intervention stating that Cross River State will appreciate more support to strengthen the health system to address not just COVID-19 but any other outbreak in future.

    Edu stated that “the emergency operations center will serve as a central point of contact for public health activities and data collection including tracking of suspected cases in a consistent manner with up-to-date information shared among federal, state and local partners as well as with the public”

    Dr. Douglas Chukwu, Cross River State team lead for USAID partner Jhpiego, conducted a virtual tour of the new Emergency Operations Center for U.S. Ambassador Mary Beth Leonard and Cross River Deputy Governor Ivara Esu, DG NCDC and the Commissioner for Health.

  • Federal Government Hands Over Covid 19 Battle To States

    Federal Government Hands Over Covid 19 Battle To States

    The Nation News Paper

    The Federal Government has pushed the battle to contain Coronavirus to states and communities, Chairman of the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on the pandemic, Mr. Boss Mustapha, said on Sunday.

    According to him, the Federal Government will henceforth only provide supervision and coordination.

    Mustapha, the secretary to the government of the federation (SGF), spoke on Sunday at the State House after members of the PTF briefed President Muhammadu Buhari and discussed their recommendations on the next phase of the battle.

    With him at the briefing were Minister of Health Dr. Osagie Ehanire; National Coordinator of the PTF Dr. Sani Aliyu; Director-General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) Dr. Chikwe Ihekwaezu, and Minister of Interior Rauf Aregbesola.

    Mustapha said: “The ownership of the next stage will be the responsibility of the states because we have gone into community transmission.

    ”Where are the communities? The communities are in the states. So, the ownership of the next stage will be the responsibility of the states, the local government, the traditional institutions, the religious leaders at the different levels of our communities, because that is where the problem is.

    ”Like we’ve kept saying, 20 local governments out of 774, account for 60 per cent of confirmed cases in Nigeria today. So where are these 20 local governments? They are in communities. It means we have reached the apex of community transmission and we must get the communities involved.

    ”So, the issues of places of worship, the issues of schools, the issues of some certain businesses that were not opened hitherto are part of the packages that we have looked at and we have made the appropriate recommendations, but you know that Mr President is the only one that can take decisions in respect of these.

    ”In the framework, the states are subnationals, they have their own responsibilities too, so it is in the exercise of those responsibilities that they had meetings with those religious bodies and agreed on the guidelines and protocols on how they can open up, but in the framework of the national response, we are taking that into consideration”, he said.

    According to him, Nigeria had reached the critical stage of community transmission, adding that communities were under the supervision of the council areas, under which structure the communities fall.

    He said there would also be the full involvement of traditional and religious institutions, adding that managing the health crisis at this point had melted down into the more complex community level.

    The PTF chairman said the advice on the reopening of the economy and worship centres had been delivered to President Muhammadu Buhari who will take the decision likely to be communicated to Nigerians today.

    ”That’s part of what we have considered in its totality. We would await Mr President’s decision on that, once I receive his approval, going forward, as to certain recommendations we have put in place, we will see how that happens.

    ”The issue of easing up, you know we are in the first phase, we had an extension of two weeks for the first phase, the next phase should be the second phase and along with that will come in with a lot of recommendations, which we expect Mr President to consider.

  • Untitled post 1688

    By: Damaris Onyendi – Calabar

    The Nigerian Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has described Cross River State as deserving of its coronavirus free status.

    NCDC stated this on Monday during a verification visit to the state.

    The leader of the NCDC team, Dr Omobolanle Olowu, lauded the state governor, Sir Ben Ayade for his strong leadership in the battle against the pandemic, successfully keeping it away from the state.

    “The Federal Government strongly Commends the Action Governor of Cross River State Governor Ben Ayade, and his energetic team who started response in January when others still lived in denial. They (Cross River) deserve to still be without a case of COVID-19.

    “The governor was proactive in shutting down borders, screening visitors and suspected cases and initiating the no mask no movement campaign in Nigeria,” she said.

    She also expressed delight at the level of compliance with the no mask no movement policy of the government.

    Expressing disbelief, she said: “I cannot believe I did not see one person without a face mask from the airport to this office. I guess this explains the results in Cross River State. I commend the state for the great work done. We never knew all these in Abuja. We will tell Mr President all what we have seen.

    “From all I have seen, this is a great response in Nigeria. Cross River has honestly done well. There is a lot to learn from Cross River as best practice for Nigeria. Nigeria should give Cross River State accolades for producing face masks, Face Shield, PPEs in its Garment Factory.”

    She said the NCDC was also satisfied with the contact tracing, Surveillance and testing done so far by the state even as she encouraged the state to do more in that regard.

    “We are happy that the state has a great working relationship with the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital. This is Commendable.

    “Governor Ben Ayade woke up even before the rest of the country. He shut his borders and has been working from the front line. Your Governor is a man with foresight who believes in his people and wants to save his people.”

    Highlight of the teams visit included the official opening of the 100-bed isolation center in Adiabo.

  • Cross River State Deserves Some Accolades In The Fight Against Covid-19 – Olowu

    Cross River State Deserves Some Accolades In The Fight Against Covid-19 – Olowu

    By Elijah Ugani – Calabar

    The leader of a seven man delegation of the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control NCDC, to Cross River State, Dr Omobolanle Olowu has stated that the state deserves some commendation in its proactive measures to fight Covid-19.

    Olowu stated this at the office of the Commissioner for Health who is also the Task Force Chairman on Covid-19, in Calabar today as part of its efforts to support state governments in the fight against the pandemic.

    Olowu however raised concerns of their initial fears that her delegation would be quarantined as earlier announced by the state government.

    The team lead commended the proactive initiative of the state to commence the fight against Covid-19 pandemic even when Nigeria had not recorded any incident.

    Her words, “Cross River deserves some accolades for the job they have done so far. The preventive measures, the production of nose masks and other proactive measures which they deployed, we really commend them.

    “We had the fear of being quarantined but all that is over now as nothing like that happened, we want to believe the measured put in place by the state has made the status (COVID-19) free.

    “There was a lot of anxiety before coming to Cross River, but I am glad we were given a warm reception.

    “We are surprised at the level of work that has been put in place so far, all the people we saw were all on nose masks with different teams at various points in the state”

    On her part, the state Task Force Chairman and Commissioner for Health, Dr Betta Edu, maintained that “It should be noted that Cross River was the first state to start the no mask, no movement policy, we blocked all borders too, very early and we were carrying out drills twice a day and later reduced it to once a day as part of proactive measures.

    “We want to make it known that we are not at loggerhead with the Federal government or NCDC, we are just protecting the interest of Cross Riverians.

    “We are partnering with UCTH and all medical and para-medical associations including Nigeria Medical Association, NMA, Medical Laboratory laboratory Scientists, nurses and pharmacists in the area of training and retraining for efficiency and quality service delivery as it concerns COVID-19”

    The team however still maintained the earlier position of Cross River State being Covid-19 free.

  • NCDC Meets With C’River Covid 19 Team In Calabar

    NCDC Meets With C’River Covid 19 Team In Calabar

    The Nigerian Center for Disease Control NCDC is currently in a meeting with the Cross State Covid 19 Task Force Team.

    The meeting which is held at the conference room of the Ministry of Health Headquarters, Calabar has in attendance members of the taskforce which I headed by its Chairman, Dr. Betta Edu and Commissioner for Health.

  • NCDC Releases 381 Fresh Cases Of Covid 19

    NCDC Releases 381 Fresh Cases Of Covid 19

    By Admin

    The continuous rise in the number of confirmed cases of corona virus in the country is debilitating, NCDC on Thursday recorded a total number of 381 new cases in the country.

    The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, NCDC, made this known on its Twitter page on Thursday night.

    Lagos and Kano States recorded 183 and 55 cases respectively.

    Going by this figure as reported,  Nigeria has a total of 3526 cases of the disease.

    The statement reads “381 new cases of #COVID19;

    183-Lagos, 55-Kano, 44-Jigawa, 19-Zamfara

    19-Bauchi, 11-Katsina, 9-Borno, 8-Kwara, 7-Kaduna, 6-Gombe, 5-Ogun, 4-Sokoto, 3-Oyo

    3-Rivers, 2-Niger, 1-Akwa Ibom, 1-Enugu and 1-Plateau State.

    “3526 cases of #COVID19 in Nigeria

    “Discharged: 601, Deaths: 107.”

    Lagos is said yo have recorded the highest cases in a day having recorded 183 cases of corona virus.

  • Breaking: Officials Of NCDC Left Kogi State Having Refused To Be Tested For Corona Virus

    Breaking: Officials Of NCDC Left Kogi State Having Refused To Be Tested For Corona Virus

    By Elijah Ugani – Calabar

    Drama ensued  yesterday as officials of the Nigerian Center for Disease Control NCDC, left Kogi State after they refused to be tested for corona virus.

    The delegation was sent to boost the capacity of the state in the fight against covid 19.

    The team returned to Abuja after Governor Yahaya Bello asked them to be isolated and be ready to be tested.

    A statement by the Kogi state Commissioner for Information, Mr. Kingsley Fanwo, inquired if NCDC has something hidden.

    The statement reads in parts “NCDC will have a lot to explain as to why its officials refused to be tested for covid 19. How can we be sure of their status? What are their fears? Why did NCDC send people who are afraid of tests to our state? What was their intentions? The officials that came has done an integrity blow to the works of the NCDC. Is there something they are hiding? It is high time NCDC open up and apologize to the good people of Kogi state. How will they encourage people to do test and their own officials are afraid of test”

    Recall also that Kogi and Cross River States are the only two states in Nigeria without confirmed cases of corona virus.