Health
COVID-19: How we saw it coming – DG
The Director General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu has revealed that the agency saw virus related challenges coming which they raised the alarm, but no body listened.
He gave the revelation on Thursday in Abuja in an interview with Journalists after his budget defence with the Senate Committee on Primary Healthcare, adding that he had at different fora raised the alarm that diseases of the coronavirus nature could occur anytime, hence, there was need for preparation which unfortunately, his voice was not heard.
He commended the upper and lower legislative Chambers for proactively enacted laws that set up Nigeria Center for Disease Control, which according to him, made them to have what it takes to tackle the pandemic.
The Director General added that the harmonious working relationship with the lawmakers has made NCDC tackle that are within its statutory powers, adding that it was the Committee that worked on legal instruments of NCDC that made it to exist statutorily.
He explained: “Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has been having working relationship with the Senate Committee on Healthcare.
“I recall that it was this Committee that pushed the bill that eventually became an Act establishing us and previously we have been telling Nigerians on need to prepare for situations like we find ourselves since March, 2020.
“At that time, nobody really want to listen to us, but we are where we and the Committee really supported us by appropriated funds and releases . The Committee supported releases in our emergency mode in order to respond to this pandemic, what we are now asking is sustained financing for health security.
He called on the Federal Government to fund the agency adequately in order to proactively respond to eventualities, which according to him, prevention was better than cure.
“Health security is not about when there is a problem, but the preparedness before it happens which must stable, sustainable and substantial; that is the way we can protect ourselves in the future.
Responding to questions on the budget, Dr. Ihekweazu sai: “This year’s budget, everybody understand that the country is passing through a very challenging period. We all have to be moderate in our expectations in terms of budgetary circle, more than ever before, Nigerians have come to understand why its important to invest in preparedness.
The entire economy of Nigeria came to standstill because of a single infectious disease and to prevent that from happening again in the future is to invest in the resources; in the human being; invest in equipment in our labs, EOCs, so that we can get on with our lives.
“We are not agency that stopped people from living, we.are agency that enable people live their normal lives.”
Earlier at the budget hearing, Senate Commission on Healthcare, Senator Chukwuka Utazi challenged Nigerian Scientists to proffer solution is the pandemic.
He said, it’s a phenomenal absurdity to wait until drugs have to come from other countries, adding that it was not about parading certificates, but inventions.
Utazi emphasised that there were too much of certificates and claims of being experts, particularly Nigerian Scientists, urging them to prove their mettle by inventing coronavirus drugs which would go down the memory lane.
In a bid to enhance medical care for Nigerians, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed six new Chief Medical Directors (CMDs) for Federal Hospitals across the country.
Among those appointed is Dr. Ikrama Hassan, who will now serve as the Chief Medical Director of the Federal Teaching Hospital, Lafia, Nasarawa State. Dr. Hassan, a seasoned consultant physician, previously served as the Medical Director of Dalhatu Araf Specialist Hospital before its elevation to a teaching hospital.
The full list of newly appointed CMDs includes:
Prof. Olusegun Sylvester Ojo – Federal Teaching Hospital, Akure, Ondo State.
Prof. Yusuf Mohammed Abdullahi (Reappointed) – Federal Teaching Hospital, Gombe.
Dr. Dauda Abubakar Katagum – Federal Teaching Hospital, Azare, Bauchi State.
Dr. Ikrama Hassan – Federal Teaching Hospital, Lafia, Nasarawa State.
Dr. Ali Mohammed Ramat – National Orthopedic Hospital, Maiduguri, Borno State.
Dr. Haruna Abubakar Shehu – Federal Medical Centre, Kafanchan, Kaduna State.
Each appointment is for a four-year term, effective from the date of assumption of duty.
President Tinubu congratulated the appointees, urging them to uphold the highest standards of professionalism and service delivery. He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to improving medical infrastructure and ensuring quality healthcare access for all Nigerians.
Senator representing Kebbi South Senatorial District, Garba Maidoki has called for the establishment of a Federal Medical Centre to be situated in Zuru to cater for the health needs of the District and its environs.
The lawmaker in the 10th National Assembly made the call during a public hearing on the Bill to establish Federal Medical Centre in Zuru organized by the Senate Committee on Health.
In a memorandum presented at the hearing by the lawmaker, he explained that the aim is to provide tertiary healthcare facilities to the people of Zuru in Kebbi State in the North West Nigeria.
He further noted that the establishment of FMCs across the country was initiated by Decree No. 10 of 1985, with the aim of providing tertiary healthcare services.
According to him, the FMC Birnin Kebbi was established on June 6, 2000, and has since been upgraded to a University Teaching Hospital.
The lawmaker stated that the large population and the challenges faced in accessing healthcare services, necessitates the establishment of FMC in the state.
“In Birnin Kebbi, the state capital, the distance between Zuru Emirate and Birnin Kebbi is approximately 240 km, making it difficult for patients, especially children and pregnant women, to access secondary and tertiary healthcare facilities”, he lamented.
Senator Maidoki charged his colleagues and the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare to support the bill, saying healthcare is a fundamental privilege expected from any government.
The lawmaker who is the sponsor of the bill told journalists during a chat that the Federal Medical Center, when established will not only cater for the tertiary healthcare needs of Kebbi State, but will also serve the adjoining states like Niger and Zamfara.
The Kogi State is set to receive enhanced funding of 500 million dollars from the World Bank to improve access to high quality basic education and Primary Healthcare Services in the state.
The Commissioner for Finance, Budget, and Economic Planning, Honourable Asiwaju Idris disclosed this at a Citizens’ Sensitization Programme held at the Government House in Lokoja on Thursday.
He noted that the World Bank assisted Programme under the HOPE-GOV initiative will avail the state of over 500 million dollars in enhanced funding to strengthen basic education and Primary healthcare services in the state.
He added that Education and Healthcare are the pillars upon which a productive, innovative and resilient society is built upon, stressing that improved funding for education and healthcare which are two indices of human capital development is critical for accelerating progress and inclusive growth in the state.
The State Accountant General and World Bank Fiscal Focal Person, Dr. Habibat Tijani, emphasized that the HOPE-GOV initiative will support the efforts of the state government to enhance fiscal transparency, improve budget credibility, and ensure accountability in the use of funds for policies and programmes of the state government.
She noted that the initiative will increase the availability and effectiveness of financing for education and healthcare, improve recruitment and performance of teachers and healthcare workers in the state.
The Commissioner for Education, Honorable Wemi Jones lauded the initiative and commended Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo’s efforts in repositioning the education sector in the state adding that over ₦1.2 billion has been allocated for external examination fees of pupils and students in primary and secondary schools by the present administration.
Similarly, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Abdulazeez Adams noted that the Hope-Gov initiative is set to revolutionize healthcare service delivery and promote access to essential healthcare services in the state.
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