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COVID-19: Lock Down Nigeria Now, Scientists Urge FG
Nigerian scientists have advised the Federal Government to order a lockdown of the country to prevent further spread of COVID-19.
The National Academy of Science, which acts as a scientific advisor to the Federal Government of Nigeria, gave the advice in a statement by its President, Prof Mosto Onuoha.
Onuoha, said the lockdown should be national, with uniform regulations, and led by the Federal Government.
He said the country should be locked down for four weeks to reduce the number of new importations of COVID-19 and provide the environment and condition for clear thinking and planning.
“In four weeks, virtually all COVID-19 cases and contacts should have been discovered or should have recovered,” the professor said.
“It is now time for a national lockdown, especially now that the disease has invaded the highest level of our governance threatening our national security! While the effort of individual state governments is lauded, with a lockdown, all citizens are required (as much as possible) to stay at home leaving room only for essential activities that allow for basic functions such as feeding and accessing health care.”
He said only workers needed to provide essential services, such as health care and electricity, should be allowed go out.
Explaining the reason for the suggestion, Onuoha said since most of the confirmed cases are imported, and a few being contacts of the imported cases, Nigeria is beginning to have cases with unclear infection sources, “this suggests the possible existence of community transmission and needs to be curtailed early.”
According to him, though the government and its agencies are working hard at containment, there are reports of people failing to self-isolate as advised.
This is complicated by the VIP syndrome that seems to characterize our country, with some refusing to be checked or to self-isolate on arrival into the country, he said.
“It is unclear how widespread the disease might be in the country given the evolving number of cases at this point, and the difficulty in tracking their movements and those of their contacts,” he said.
Expressing a similar view, a non-governmental organisation, ActionAid, called for 14 days lock down of the country.
The Country Director, ActionAid Nigeria, Ene Obi, said the increased cases of the imported virus in the country called for rapid steps to be taken by the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on the control of COVID-19.
“With the cases of infected persons increasing from three to 36 within a week, more need to be done quickly and promptly. Nigeria needs to be ready for the worst-case scenario,” she said.
She said the concept of social distancing and self-isolation may remain a mirage to many as “average Nigerians particularly those offline and at the grassroots are still ignorant and lack the basic safeguarding information on symptoms and prevention of the spread of the virus.
“As a grassroots organisation, we are concerned that no proactive steps are being taken at the grassroots level and the average woman in the market is still unaware that the virus is so contagious that one infected person with high exposure can infect up to 2.5 million persons within five days as stated by the Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire during a press conference earlier, March 23 2020,” the country director said.
Obi said there was a need to re-prioritise the country’s budgetary provisions by investing more in healthcare facilities.
Also speaking, an economist, Odilim Ewegbara, said a total lockdown to curtail the spread of the virus is necessary now.
He said the lockdown may come with financial hardships as the productive sectors would be forced to stop work but it is the safest way to keep the increasing figure at bay.
He said the most likely way out of the economic hardship Nigeria is slumping into is that Nigerians should consume local products since importation would stop.
He said this could be achieved if the government provides a social welfare package for the vulnerable group who would spend and stock up food during the lockdown.
However, a public health expert, Faith Ajani, expressed a different view.
He said Nigeria may not be able to afford a total lockdown “even though it is the best method now.”
He, however, encouraged that personal hygiene and social distancing should be maintained at all times.
Currently, Nigeria has 46 cases of COVID-19, including one death.
The Chief of Staff to the President, Abba Kyari, and Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, are among Nigeria’s 46 confirmed cases.
Some states, such as Lagos and Ogun, have already placed restrictions on public gatherings, including in churches and mosques.
Lagos, Nigeria’s most affected state with COVID-19, has also said it would shut markets from today except for essential products.
The Federal Government has, however, only advised Nigerians to stay at home but has told citizens to expect tougher measures.
The COVID-19 has killed over 15,000 people globally, the majority of them in Europe and China.
The Mayor of Housing, My-ACE China, has teamed up with a renowned hospital group in Port Harcourt, the Meridian Hospitals, which is in partnership with the Pilgrims Health Foundation, to carry out a one-day medical outreach last Tuesday.
The free treatment scheme took place at Oromenike Government Girls Secondary School in D-Line, Port Harcourt, with over 100 persons accessing free treatments, including free eye-glasses and booking for eye surgeries.
Other areas of treatment included general health consultations and treatment; blood pressure and sugar level testing; malaria testing and treatment; free prescriptions; preventive health talks focusing on hygiene, maternal health, and nutrition.
The scheme was conducted under the theme: ‘Bringing Healthcare to the Community.’
Newsmen who visited the venue of the scheme found that enthusiastic beneficiaries had thronged the area as early as 7a.m. After setting up, the medical team began attending to the patients.
Mr. Jerry Onwuso, a 63-year-old patient, who was first to see eye doctors and got eye glasses and drugs, told newsmen that he was pleased with the medical intervention.
He made it clear he did not pay any money to get all the treatments and glasses, and pleaded that the scheme be sustained.
Another patient, Loveth Sam, expressed satisfaction with the scheme and appealed to the sponsors to continue to increase the benefits.
Throwing some light on the scheme, Mr. China said he worked in Meridian Hospitals as a Lab. Scientist 19 years ago, but resigned because he could not bear to see patients struggling for life because they had no money to pay for treatment.
He said he came back to help extend free medical treatment to the less privileged.
Sources said China was always having issues with the hospital authorities when he would insist on critical patients being allowed to be treated first, with or without money.
Years later, China, who now goes by a brand name, the Mayor of Housing, returned to the Meridian Hospital headquarters to support free medical scheme.
He also went the next day to the headquarters of Meridian, after the one-day medical outreach, to give cash gifts and palliatives to workers he met when he worked there but had remained in service since he left.
He encouraged them to continue to give their all to humanity through the hospital. The Mayor of Housing called most of them by name and a cloud of emotions descended on them during the reunion.
Appreciating the gesture, the Founder and Chief Medical Director, Dr. Iyke Odo, said China had always manifested hard-work, ambition, and impulsive giving.
According to him, the then young bright boy was full of humanity, kindness, love, and made friends easily, adding that “not everybody that gives is a giver. The difference is that givers are given to give.”
Dr. Odo used the opportunity to call on governments to review Nigeria’s health insurance system and make it work in Nigeria to save lives.
He said it was sad watching critically sick persons abandoned because they did not have money for treatment.
He also condemned harsh tax and electricity tariffs whereby facilities like his now pay N12 million instead of N500,000 few years back.
He wondered why hospitals were being made to pay tariffs like oil companies, citing many other countries where medical facilities were placed on low rates and tariffs so they could charge moderate fees from patients.
The Renewed Hope Initiative in conjunction with the Rivers State Government has empowered 500 elderly citizens in Rivers State with financial support of N200,000 each.
The empowerment programme was part of activities to celebrate the third anniversary of the Renewed Hope Initiative Elderly Support Scheme RHIESS, a social investment policy initiated by the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu.
Speaking at the event which held at the Government House, Port Harcourt, recently, under the theme, ‘Finding Joy in Old Age,’ Senator Tinubu said the gesture which has become traditional since 2023 was a mark of gratitude in recognition of the invaluable contributions of the senior citizens to nation building.
The First Lady who was represented by the wife of the Rivers State Governor and State Coordinator of the Renewed Hope Initiative, Lady Valerie Fubara, said the scheme was to “support two hundred and fifty (250) vulnerable elderly citizens aged 65 and above in all the 36 states of the federation, the Federal Capital Territory, and veterans from the Defence and Police Officers’ Wives Association (DEPOWA) totalling 9,500 selected beneficiaries across the nation.
She urged the beneficiaries to engage in activities that will make them find joy in old age.
“I encourage you to continue playing your part by staying healthy and active, nurture both your body and mind through regular exercise and meaningful engagement,” Senator Tinubu advised.
On her part, Lady Fubara said the State Government through the magnanimity of the governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has increased the beneficiaries of the programme from 250 to 500.
She restated the commitment of the State Government towards provision of social welfare and improving the standard of living of the elderly in the State.
Also speaking, the Executive Secretary, Rivers State Contributory Health Protection Programme (RIVCHPP), Dr Vetty Agala, said the State Government has through the Health4allrivers Initiative, introduced free medical care for senior citizens in the State, in line with the Renewed Hope Initiative.
