Lessons from Nigeria in Responding to Coronavirus

• Opinion by Ifeanyi Nsofor (abuja)
• Friday, March 20, 2020
• Inter Press Service
• Dr. Ifeanyi Nsofor is a medical physician, the CEO of EpiAFRIC, Director of Coverage and Advocacy for Nigeria Well being Watch

However it’s an issue past Europe too, and governments in 61 countries have closed faculties to sluggish the unfold of the virus. Within the U.S., President Trump lately declared a nationwide emergency after the virus had unfold to almost each U.S. state, and he urged state governments to arrange emergency operation facilities instantly.

Most of those measures occurred after a big variety of instances have been documented. In distinction, Nigeria, the place I’m based mostly, has proven a exceptional degree of preparedness and response to the Coronavirus pandemic even with simply 12 instances recognized.

These efforts are led by the Nigeria Centre for Illness Management (NCDC). Nigeria’s previous experiences of shortly responding to the 2014 Ebola outbreak and constantly responding to different infectious ailments corresponding to Lassa fever, have strengthened its well being safety capability. Consequently, there are classes that different nations can study from Nigeria’s response to Coronavirus.

First, put money into epidemic preparedness earlier than an outbreak happens. The Director-Normal of NCDC, Chikwe Ihekweazu believes that nations ought to construct methods in ‘peace time’ that can be utilized throughout outbreaks. Working with subnational governments and companions, the NCDC since 2017 have been supporting Nigerian States to arrange Public Well being Emergency Operations Centre (PHEOCs).

On the final depend, 23 States in Nigeria have arrange PHEOCs. The PHEOCs function an epidemic clever hub for efficient communication and environment friendly useful resource administration throughout any outbreak. Due to this fact, the U.S. ought to have arrange PHEOCs lengthy earlier than this Coronavirus pandemic.

Second, be open and clear about Coronavirus instances. The index Coronavirus case recorded in Nigeria was reported inside 48 hours of the Italian arriving Nigeria. The federal minister of well being, NCDC and the Lagos state commissioner of well being didn’t waste time informing Nigerians.

They’ve additionally constantly adopted that with common updates. The NCDC now has a microsite to supply common updates to Nigerians and the worldwide neighborhood. Different info obtainable on the microsite are movies on threat discount and summaries of the worldwide Coronavirus state of affairs report.

Third, put money into laboratory diagnoses of Coronavirus. Inside weeks after the Coronavirus outbreak started, NCDC, with the assist of companions, upgraded 4 of its reference laboratories to diagnose Coronavirus.

This led to fast analysis of the Italian regardless of his falling sick in a neighboring state to Lagos. These reference laboratories are positioned strategically across the nation, in order that delays in transferring samples are diminished.

Fourth, the very best political will is crucial for epidemic preparedness. In 2018, after 7 years of working with no authorized backing, the NCDC was legalized by means of a invoice signed into regulation by President Buhari.

This motion places NCDC in its rightful place because the nationwide public well being institute, with the mandate to steer the preparedness, detection and response to infectious illness outbreaks and public well being emergencies. President Buhari backed the authorized mandate with an approval for NCDC to obtain 2.5% of the Basic Health Care Provision Fund – a funding mechanism designed to enhance major well being care in Nigeria. That is unprecedented within the historical past of well being safety in Nigeria.

Likewise, some Nigerian legislators are advocating for elevated funding for epidemic preparedness. As an example, the chairpersons of Nigeria’s senate committees on well being and first well being care/communicable ailments have been advocating for increased budgetary allocation to NCDC.

Undoubtedly, well being safety is an space that Nigeria’s government and legislature agree. With hindsight, the U.S. mustn’t have cut its Centres for Illness Management’s price range by 20% in 2018.

Fifth, concentrate to what’s occurring exterior of 1’s personal nation. Infectious ailments don’t respect borders. Maybe crucial lesson we should always study from Nigeria’s response to the Coronavirus is what Chikwe Ihekweazu said when he was interviewed by a global media outlet; “The idea of each nation making an attempt to look solely inside its personal borders is totally, mindbogglingly, a waste of all people’s time”.

To make certain, Nigeria is at the moment coping with its largest Lassa fever outbreak, making an attempt to rebuild its well being system and nonetheless requires extra funds to arrange for the subsequent epidemic. Nonetheless, NCDC has proven what is feasible in decreasing the influence of a virus with accountable management, use of science for decision-making and making certain worth for cash in epidemic preparedness.

Chikwe Ihekweazu’s admonition on borderless method in responding to infectious illness outbreaks is essential as a result of so far as international well being safety is anxious, the world is as ready as its weakest hyperlink.

Different nations would not have to reinvent the wheel in managing this Coronavirus pandemic. Nigeria has succeeded in containing Coronavirus and is keen to share classes learnt.

© Inter Press Service (2020) — All Rights ReservedOriginal source: Inter Press Service

The place subsequent?

<p><a href="https://www.globalissues.org/information/2020/03/20/26220">Classes from Nigeria in Responding to Coronavirus</a>, <cite>Inter Press Service</cite>, Friday, March 20, 2020 (posted by World Points)</p>