The minister of State for Health, Dr. Senator Olorunnimbe Mamora yesterday said government has acquired additional 100 cylinders of medical oxygen for treatment of patients in the isolation and treatment centers in FCT.
According to him, the cylinders are donated per day by a donor company for the needed support of patients in the Isolation and Treatment Centers in the FCT.
Briefing newsmen in Abuja during the presidential taskforce on COVID-19, the minister added that the nation is worried over the increasing rate of the pandemic.
“As of yesterday 5th January, 2021
Total number of samples tested is 980,046.Number of confirmed cases is 91,351.Number of Active cases is 14,334. Discharged till date is 75,691. New cases in the last 24hrs is 1,204.Number of deaths till date is 1,318.Case fatality Rate is 1.5%
“The Federal Government has been making spirited efforts at ensuring availability of oxygen on a short term basis through collaboration with CACOVID while still pursuing the process for immediate intervention for nationwide equitable and sustainable oxygen availability at the Federal Tertiary Hospitals as well as State owned Hospitals.
“We acknowledge with thanks the provision of 100 cylinders of medical oxygen per day by a donor company for the needed support of patients in the Isolation and Treatment Centers in the FCT.
It is important to state that the ultimate plan in terms of medical oxygen supply is based on systematic oxygen assessment and gaps identification in the country bothering severe disequilibrium, uneven storage/demand ratio, distribution logistics challenges and equipment and plant dilapidation.
“Our oxygen availability intervention plan is targeted at immediate, medium and long term plans with special attention to the COVID-19 high burden areas like FCT, Lagos, Kaduna.
“The various approved treatment centres have scaled up activities as directed and quality of care continues to improve. A major factor contributing to the mortality of cases is the late presentation at the approved treatment centres. We therefore appeal to caregivers not to hold on to suspected cases who fit the case identification protocol for longer than necessary and refer promptly. This will greatly improve treatment outcomes and drive our case fatality rate further down.
Dr. Mamora also added, ‘it is imperative during this second wave to strictly adhere to the non-pharmaceutical interventions of wearing face mask, physical and social distancing; hand washing with soap and water and use of hand sanitizers where necessary. In this regard we are liaising with state governments, National Orientation Agency and other relevant MDAs to intensify sensitization of the general public on the need to comply with the existing covid-19 protocols. Some states and the FCT have taken proactive measures to ensure compliance such as introduction of fines for erring members of the public. This is a step in the right direction considering the ferocity of this second wave.
On provision of vaccines, the lead agency (NPHCDA), is working with our stakeholders and partners is currently assessing the infrastructural gaps in terms of logistics for cold chain maintenance, storage, supply and distribution to ensure vaccine viability and reach all.
“We are also working with the Aviation Ministry to ensure strict enforcement of covid-19 protocols at the local and international wings of Airports across the country taking cognizance of the high transmissibility of the new strain of the virus already confirmed in many countries. Particular attention in this regard is therefore being focused on passengers arriving from the UK and South Africa.
“We appeal to all states to increase testing to enable us know exactly where we are. This will enable us put in place mitigating measures to check transmission and provide treatment for covid-19 sick patients.