The Federal Government is currently considering the option of what it christened ‘supervised out-of-hospital isolation and care.’
The discussion which is currently ongoing with some state governments will either be home-based care or based in communal space, like school dormitories, since schools are presently closed down.
The Minister of Health, Osagie Ehanire, disclosed this at the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 media briefing, in Abuja, Thursday.
He revealed that support to states, will, henceforth, “be tailored to challenges and strengths of State health systems.”
According to Ehanire: “The National Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHCDA) is discussing options and guidelines of supervised out-of-hospital isolation and care with some States, which is either home-based care or based in communal space, like school dormitories, since schools are presently closed down.
“As we continue to engage states on scaling up sample collection and testing capacity all over Nigeria, we also continue to urge healthcare workers to ensure they are properly protected with the appropriate PPE’s and have a high index of suspicion when treating patients.”
He, however, advised Nigerians to use face masks even in their houses if the they did not trust the people they are living with.
“Please use your face mask at all times in the public, or even inside your house, if you are not sure of the COVID-19 status of people you live with.
“The face mask by itself is not enough, but is better than nothing and is the only option you have, if you find yourself in a crowd.
“Do not cough or sneeze into open space, but use a tissue to be disposed of right away. Wash hands regularly, use sanitizers and observe physical distancing,” he admonished.
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