The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), has revealed that the challenges it faced during the early days of COVID-19 were triggered by what it described as global competition for access to reagents and medical supplies.
These challenges, the NCDC said, limited the initial testing capacity of its molecular laboratories.
The NCDC stated this in a statement to mark 100 days of COVID-19 in Nigeria.
The Centre however, revealed that its major priority in the months ahead would be the strengthening of the capacity of laboratories nation-wide and increasing access to testing.
Presenting an apparent scorecard, the NCDC said: “As part of its mandate, NCDC has provided support to all states in Nigeria. Over the last three years, in preparedness for major outbreaks, the agency supported the establishment of State Public Health Emergency Operations Centres (EOCs) in 23 of the 30 states in Nigeria, without polio or public health EOCs.
“These EOCs have served as the coordination hub at state level since the first case was confirmed in Nigeria. The NCDC has deployed its highest number of rapid response teams – with 37 teams across 34 states and the FCT.
“The extent of this response has been supported by the deployment of additional surge teams from the Nigeria Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Programme (NFELTP), the World Health Organization (WHO) and Africa Centres for Disease Control (Africa CDC).
“NCDC continues to support every state with medical supplies, transportation of samples, training of health workers, risk communications and other response activities.
“The NCDC launched the #TakeResponsibility campaign which has formed the cornerstone of public health messaging.
“This is done by leveraging on social media, mainstream media and other avenues to encourage Nigerians to take responsibility for protecting themselves and loved ones and preventing the spread of COVID-19.
“Over 150 jingles currently air on radio and television, reaching communities across the country.
“With the support of Nigeria’s telecommunication companies, over 100 million text messages have been sent out since February 2020 reminding Nigerians about measures that can be taken to protect themselves from COVID-19.”
Since the discovery of the index COVID-19 case in Nigeria, the NCDC said, 100 days after, it has reported 11,844 confirmed cases and 333 deaths.
“Additionally, 3,696 people have been treated and discharged successfully. The COVID-19 pandemic has affected over 100 countries across the world. Over 6 million people have been affected, and the number of deaths has exceeded 300,000 as at the 6th of June 2020,” the NCDC explained.
