Health
Survey to estimate percentage of Nigerians with antibodies against COVID-19 begins in Abuja, Kano
The Federal Government of Nigeria with support from the United States Centre for Disease Control and Prevention has launched the second phase of a survey aimed at using antibody tests to estimate the percentage of people in a population who have antibodies against SARS-Cov-2, popularly called COVID-19.
The project titled: “COVID-19 Seroprevalence Survey” to be carried out in 38 enumeration areas across the FCT and Kano will also reveal the number of people who may have been previously infected with SARS-Cov-2
Set to officially commence in the first week of June, the survey will enable targeted participants to know their malaria and covid-19 status and receive important information about how to prevent COVID-19 in their household with an added opportunity to interact with trained health professionals for any COVID-19 related issues.
Moreso, those who are diagnosed with malaria will be treated instantly while positive COVID-19 cases will be referred and followed up for adequate free management and care.
The Government of Nigeria through the Nigerian Centre for Disease control is providing technical assistance and some structural synergy for smooth implementation of all planned activities for the survey.
In a brief chat with the Director Special Duties, Health and Human Services, FCTA, Dr. Matthew Ashikeni, who also doubles as the Chairman technical Committee for the COVID-19 Sero-survey, he mentioned that in preparation for the Survey, those who are to participate have been properly trained and equipped with skills for the data collection.
“First of all the participants are categorized into two groups.
“We have the laboratorians, who are people already trained in the field of medical laboratory with experience in the necessary requirements, skills to conduct laboratory tests because they have to take specimen from the nose, from the throat as well as blood samples for COVID-19 tests as well as for Malaria test” Dr. Ashikeni said.
“We are not unaware that some persons might be apprehensive so we are engaging with the public to inform them about this exercise; we have been engaging with traditional and religious leaders and through the various media channels.
“FCT and Kano residents are aware that the survey is to be conducted and are willing to cooperate with the enumerators once it commences.
The staff have been trained to be courteous and respectful and to be able to explain the purpose of the survey in a manner that it will be easily acceptable.”
Dr Ashikini further stated that enumeration areas have been selected scientifically, adding that “informed consent is going to be sought and no one will be penalized for not participating”
Funded by the United States Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, the Survey is being executed by the University of Maryland Baltimore, Nigerian Office.
In a separate interview, the Program Director for the COVID-19 Sero-survey, University of Maryland Baltimore, Nigerian office, Dr. EmemIwara, says the survey is going to give Nigerians a hint on number of persons that may have had COVID without knowing.
“The Sero Prevalence Survey is going to give us an idea of the number of persons that would have had COVID-19 over the past six months.
You know a lot of persons might have had COVID-19 without necessarily knowing that they have it because the symptoms are similar to what people have when they have Malaria or other illnesses. So, this survey will give a true picture of the persons that would have had COVID-19 because we are testing for the antibodies not for people that have COVID-19 currently.
“So the anti-bodies are developed once someone has COVID-19 and it could be there for a period of three to six months” Dr. Iwara stated.
She added that the survey has been conducted previously in three Nigerian states-Enugu, Nasarawa, Gombe, Lagos and Sokoto
The Federal Government has facilitated the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the National Hospital and four private institutions to enhance the capacity of the healthcare workforce.
The participating institutions include Nile University, Cosmopolitan University, Yangongwo College of Nursing Sciences, and Concerned Medix Foundation.
This was disclosed in a statement signed by the Ministry’s Deputy Director of Information and Public Relations, Mr. Alaba Balogun on Friday.
Alaba revealed that during the signing ceremony, the Coordinating Minister of Health & Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, emphasized that the MoU aligns with the administration’s policy to expand training capacities.
Prof. Pate further highlighted that this initiative reflects President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to increasing the training of health workers, addressing workforce gaps, and maintaining professional standards through the Regulatory and Professional Schools Division of the Hospital Services Department of the Ministry.
He stressed the government’s responsibility to tackle multiple challenges, including infrastructure, equipment, and human capital development, noting that Nigerian health workers are highly sought after due to their excellent training.
“Thankfully, because they are well-trained, we are very proud of them. If we weren’t training them, they wouldn’t have been attractive to other countries.
“Unfortunately, that has implications on the service delivery at home. So as a government, we took a progressive stance to say, look, let’s train more.
“So that even if those who are trained leave, some will stay. And even those who have gone away might come back to serve. And, that is the driving force behind this policy approval by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” the Coordinating Minister pointed out.
Prof. Pate also underscored the crucial role of the private sector in achieving the government’s objectives, noting that Nigeria’s healthcare system operates as a mix of public and private institutions.
“So, the private sector has a space, and I am very pleased that you have joined hands with the National Hospital to be able to really see how the capabilities of the hospital can help you train more clinicians”, he said.
Speaking at the event, the Chief Medical Director of the National Hospital, Prof. Raji Mahmud, commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for prioritizing improvements in the healthcare system.
He affirmed that the collaboration and signing of the MoU between the National Hospital and private institutions would significantly expand healthcare workforce training.
Prof. Mahmud further noted that three out of the four institutions are primarily training centers focused on medical and nursing education in partnership with the National Hospital, Abuja.
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.
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