TheNewsGuru

Tag: Coronavirus

  • Okowa, wife go on self isolation as daughter tests positive for COVID-19

    Okowa, wife go on self isolation as daughter tests positive for COVID-19

    There is palpable fear in the Delta State Government House in Asaba after one of the daughters of Senator (Dr) Ifeanyi Okowa, the State Governor tested positive for the dreadful Coronavirus disease (TNG).

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the test result of Governor Okowa’s daughter was among the 106 COVID-19 cases confirmed by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) for the State for Thursday.

    While the identity of the daughter was not revealed, Governor Okowa on Friday said himself and his family, in-line with the laid out procedures, are going into isolation for the next 14-days.

    “Earlier today, Edith and I received the news that one of our daughters has tested positive for COVID-19. Hence, in-line with the laid out procedures, we are both going into isolation for the next 14-days. We will continue to keep you all updated,” Governor Okowa tweeted.

    Nigeria’s COVID-19 cases escalated to 22,614 on Thursday with 594 new cases announced. The big surprise was Delta, where new infections surged by 106, in the last 24 hours.

    Delta was 9th on the cumulative leaderboard with 609 cases, before Thursday’s tally. With 709 cases, it will now leapfrog Kaduna to claim the 8th position behind Ogun.

    Ogun recorded just 12 cases on Thursday, taking its tally to 733 cases. Lagos, as usual recorded the highest cases of 159. Ondo came next to Delta with 44 cases.

  • PSG confirm three players tests positive for coronavirus

    PSG confirm three players tests positive for coronavirus

    Paris Saint-Germain have confirmed three players and one member of staff have tested positive for coronavirus.

    The Ligue 1 champions, who were crowned in April after the remainder of season was cancelled and positions decided on a points-per-game basis because of the coronavirus pandemic, are due to return to training ahead of the Coupe de France and Coupe de la Ligue finals and the resumption of the Champions League.

    Thomas Tuchel’s men are through to the last eight of the Champions League, which will be finished in a tournament in Lisbon in August.

  • Coronavirus scare hits Kaduna Assembly, massive testing of members, workforce begins

    Coronavirus scare hits Kaduna Assembly, massive testing of members, workforce begins

    The Speaker of Kaduna State House of Assembly, Alhaji Yusuf Zailani has directed all workers of the Assembly, including the lawmakers to submit themselves for compulsory coronavirus test.

    This was made known to journalists by the Deputy Chairman House Committee on Health, Mr Ali Kalat on Tuesday in Kaduna.

    Kalat said the directive became necessary after a staff of the Assembly tested positive to the virus. He, however, said that non of the lawmakers had tested positive.

    “But going forward, we have to surrender ourselves for testing so that we will be sure that the entire members of the assembly and its workforce are COVID-19 negative.

    “The speaker has given directives that the entire workforce of the assembly should be subjected to coronavirus tests and the exercise is still going on at the assembly. All staff have converged for the exercise and it is ongoing,” he said.

    Kalat said subsequently, all members would also submit themselves for the test.

    “After the exercise we will close and wait for further directives from the executive,” he stated.

  • Vitamin D reduces COVID-19 severity, deaths — Expert

    Vitamin D reduces COVID-19 severity, deaths — Expert

    Prof. Temitope Alonge, the Deputy Chairman of Oyo State COVID-19 Task Force, says higher Vitamin D levels due to constant exposure to sunlight may be responsible for the lower death rates and severity of COVID-19 in the country.

    Alonge made this known in an interview while speaking on treatment protocol adopted by the state in management of COVID-19 patients.

    Alonge, a former Chief Medical Director, University College Hospital, Ibadan, said that there was a link between levels of vitamin D, which plays a role in our immune function, and respiratory health.

    According to him, the task force has also started a study that discovered that Vitamins D level played a major role on severity and complications of COVID-19.

    “Vitamin D has been looked at, it has two major functions, one is called endocrine and the other one is called autocrine.

    “The endocrine function assists in the absorption of calcium which helps build the immune system and keeps you strong, that’s what most people think Vitamin D is for, but in fact Vitamin D receptor is expressed on immune cells.

    “The autocrine function of Vitamin D is that it stimulates the cells to produce antibodies as required.

    “So the abilities to produce these antibodies are already inside of you and your cells have it.

    “But they won’t produce it until they have a trigger by Vitamin D3, the active form which forms from when the natural ultraviolet (UV), light interferes with a product in our skin.

    “In our study on micronutrients status of some patients at the Olodo Infectious Disease Centre, we discovered that when a few patients did not turn negative quickly, when we added Vitamin D 100,000 to 200,000 International units, within five days they became negative.

    “So in effect, a Vitamin D deficiency is associated with increased autoimmunity, as well as an increased susceptibility to viral infections,” he told NAN.

    Alonge said that they were beginning to isolate and analyse the genetic composition of Coronavirus strain that was circulating and causing infection in the country in order to know if it was different from others.

    “So the question is that are we actually being protected from the high deaths experienced in the Western countries by the Vitamin D we have in abundance in Africa.

    “Ordinarily what the western world was saying was that we were going to be picking dead bodies from the streets.

    “The damage that we have seen in other parts of the world is monumental and we are now beginning to sequence the genome of this particular ribonucleic acid (RNA), single strand virus to find out whether the strain we have is different.

    “We are also looking at what you call antibody mounting; you will be amazed that what we saw from the patients at the ISON experiences place, a testing centre in Ibadan, was that a lot of them already had antibodies.

    “We need to start thinking of the autocrine function of Vitamin D which is freely available because of our warmer climate and take cognisance of the fact that we have some inherent immunity against COVID-19 due to the abundance of sunlight.

    “We are working on this hypothesis and hopefully we will be able to sequence the particular strain of coronavirus in various localities in Nigeria and at the same time look at other co-factors that give us some degree of resistance to the virus,” he said.

    According to him, while the skin manufactures the Vitamin D when exposed to sunlight, elderly people should consume Vitamin D fortified foods.

    “For the younger people you should be able to take enough Vitamin D from the sun, maybe by spending an hour or two in the sun before 12 noon.

    “Salmon is a very rich source of vitamin D apart from the one you get in the sun.

    “A lot of people from low income communities eat more of salmon and they are probably going to survive this much more than those who out of sophistication have taken themselves off Salmon,” he said.

    Speaking on the state’s treatment protocol for COVID-19, he said, that the anti-malarial drug Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ), Zinc, Vitamins D and Vitamin C are being used for COVID-19 patients.

    According to him, Zinc, Vitamins D and Vitamin C are also used as pre-exposure prophylaxis drugs for healthcare personnel handling COVID-19 patients.

    “We are doing the best we can and we are having what we call a coherent and cohesive management protocol, it is not one man knows it all, it is a collective reasoning between infectious disease experts and expertise.

    “What Hyroxychloroquine does is to reduce inflammation; it is not that we are using it to treat the virus like many people think, no antiviral drug has been proven to be foolproof.

    “All we are doing is to reduce inflammation and make sure our patients don’t get to the point where they will have respiratory failure.

    “We were very blessed that an 83-year-old man whose computed tomography (CT), scan showed features of COVID-19 recovered completely and went home without need for oxygen,” he said.

  • Kano Govt clears air on reopening schools soon

    Kano Govt clears air on reopening schools soon

    The Kano State Government has dismissed reports claiming that it was considering the reopening of its schools.

    The reports had claimed that government has set up a committee to consider the reopening of the schools closed down after the breakout of the Coronvirus pandemic.

    But the state’s education ministry, in a statement by the Chief Press Secretary, Malam Aliyu Yusuf, described the report as “fake news”.

    According to him, the story is not true and is a clear misrepresentation of the actual situation on ground.

    “Kano State, like other states, received a document from the Federal Ministry of Education containing proposed guidelines to be put in place whenever it is appropriate to re-open schools, which we were asked to review and give our input.

    “It was in the course of the review of the documents that the Ministry of Education constituted an Ad-hoc Committee to undertake the assignment. Its input will be transmitted back to the federal education ministry.

    “The ministry also wishes to debunk a widely circulated rumour that a directive was issued to private schools to suspend online lessons for their students.

    “This news is equally untrue as even the state government is conducting similar programmes through radio and television stations,” he said.

    He added that the ministry specifically directed all private schools to desist from conducting assessment tests and examinations online.

    “Government has already suspended the second term academic activities, especially test and conduct of examinations.

    “A circular has been widely circulated to school operators to halt the conduct of student assessment and examination.

    “However, we reliably gathered that some schools operating within the state refused to adhere to the circular.

    “Some are conducting various forms of assessment of their students under the cover of the online classes to the extent of collecting 3rd term school fees from parents.

    “Some of these schools went as far as collecting huge amounts as cost of data and the online classes.

    “This is a clear violation of the directive given by the Kano State Government.

    “It is to be noted that the ministry has compiled evidence of such violations of the directive and will soon invite owners of such schools for proper disciplinary. No one is above the law.”

    “The general public should disregard any misleading information propagated by some unpatriotic elements who are desperate to cause confusion in the state education sector for their selfish intentions,” he advised.

  • PTF to decide on 2nd phase of lockdown by June ending, says Mustapha

    PTF to decide on 2nd phase of lockdown by June ending, says Mustapha

    The Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19) continue to monitor developments nationwide in order to take informed decisions by the end of June, on the second phase of the lockdown.

    Mr Boss Mustapha, the chairman of PTF on COVID-19 and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) said this at the daily press briefing on Monday in Abuja.

    Early June, the PTF announced a one-month period for the implementation of the second phase of the easing of lockdown.

    Mustapha said that while pursuing that line of action, the PTF would like to re-echo the World Health Organisation (WHO), advisory to countries and their citizens not to equate any slow-down in numbers accompanied by loosening of restrictive measures to translate to a reduction in the dangers faced by humanity.

    “Yesterday,June 21, 2020, Nigeria crossed the threshold of 20, 000, with our total number rising to 20, 244 confirmed cases.

    “This signified to the PTF that more testing has been carried out in recent weeks.

    “However, we are not deluded that we are getting enough samples to test. I wish to remind all our citizens that the best strategy remains to test, detect, isolate and treat.

    “That has accounted for the massive expansion in the laboratory network and testing centers,” he stated.

    The SGF said that the PTF has also continued to watch developments from other jurisdictions especially those that have similar climatic and demographics with us.

    “Here Brazil is of particular interest. You would have observed that the number of confirmed cases in Brazil have risen to 1,084,833 thus becoming the second highest in the whole world and reporting over 50,000 deaths.

    “In Africa, WHO has reported that South Africa, Egypt, Nigeria and Ghana have proportionately been the most affected countries on the continent of Africa.

    “All these combined, represent a serious wake up call for us all to be responsive and to take full responsibility.

    “Our failure to take responsibility threatens the gains we have recorded which is not good for our large population.

    “Let me give you a vivid picture of how this virus has spread across our nation by timelines:

    “April 16 2020: 442 cases, May 16, 2020: 5,621 cases, June 16, 2020:17, 148 cases

    “We really have a choice to make and there is an urgency of yesterday,” he explained.

    According to him, as part of the collaboration with the States, the PTF team made up of the Nigeria Center for Disease Control (NCDC), and the WHO Representative visited Plateau, Edo, Lagos and Akwa Ibom to assess the state of preparedness and control.

    The PTF chairman said that the visit further gives Nigerians confidence that sub-national levels of governments were also taking the necessary actions to ensure that this fight was speedily won.

    Meanwhile, he announced that on June, 20 2020, the PTF received the first batch of equipment supplies under the One-UN Basket fund and the European Union.

    “These supplies included Personal Protection Equipment, testing kits and laboratory equipment.

    “I want to use this opportunity to thank the partners of the One UN Basket and look forward to receiving the second batch of these supplies.

    “Their commitment greatly shows that partnership is the most important ingredient needed to overcome this pandemic globally.

    “I similarly wish to thank the WHO for the donation of Oxygen concentrators, which has become very vital for case management,” he said.

    He added that over the weekend, the Rotary Cub International District 9125, a long standing partner in the fight against polio disease, made a donation of essential materials worth over ten million naira to support the fight against COVID-19.

    Mustapha said that the gesture was also very much appreciated.

    He, however said that PTF was pleased to express its appreciation to the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD), for demonstrating the spirit of patriotism and understanding by calling off the industrial action its members embarked upon.

    “Abiding by The Hippocratic Oath further gives us comfort that we would win this fight.

    “On the part of government, we would continue to ensure the welfare and safety of all workers will never be neglected,” he said.

    The SGF said that as the nation pursue the Community engagement and Risk Communication Strategy, PTF had identified lack of information about case definition protocols, location of testing centres, inability to reach call centers, as obstacles to getting needed help.

    He said that PTF has therefore directed that more awareness be created on the location of test centers and how to get tested especially when you fit the case definition.

    “The call centres are also being re-energized for responsiveness. Our messaging on risk communication and compliance by the public will also receive very strong attention.

    “We must develop a national wave of awareness creation to drive home our objectives,” he said.

    Mustapha called on Nigerians to make use of these facilities and get tested.

    “Similarly, I implore us not to be afraid of undertaking the COVID-19 test.

    “Testing positive for COVID-19 is not a death sentence, but failure to test, especially when symptoms are evident could result to death as it may be too late once the symptoms become full blown,” he said.

    The SGF said that the death of any Nigerian was not only painful, but most avoidable provided they seek help early.

    He said that PTF was also not unmindful of the possibility of imports especially through the land borders.

    “For this reason, our men and women of the Nigerian Immigration Service remain vigilant.

    “This has resulted in the apprehension of two foreigners who tried to enter the country illegally over the week-end. This commendable effort is appreciated,” he said.

    Meanwhile, the SGF said that the declaration of Nigeria as Polio free nation last week was a welcome development and congratulate all those that participated in the long-drawn battle to rid Nigeria of the disease.

    “This declaration is a signal that overcoming COVID-19 and indeed any other infectious disease is possible and shall be achieved.

    “We use this opportunity to renew our call to the medical practitioners and hospitals not to neglect other diseases and ailments because of COVID-19,” he said.

    Mustapha reminded Nigerians that wearing their mask properly, observing social distancing, washing their hands and avoiding large gatherings were critical to saving lives, including Nigerians.

    “Observe them religiously,” the SGF said.

  • COVID-19: Death toll rising in Edo, says Gov Obaseki

    COVID-19: Death toll rising in Edo, says Gov Obaseki

    Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki has said Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) death toll has risen in the State.

    Governor Obaseki made this known on Monday while revealing that 50 COVID-19 patients have been discharged from isolation centres in the State.

    He said a total of 197 persons have so far recovered from the disease, stressing that the elderly made up a large number of the fatalities.

    “We have discharged 50 COVID-19 patients from our isolation centres in the state. A total of 197 people have recovered so far.

    “However, the death toll has risen to 31, with the elderly making up a large number of the fatalities. Please, keep safe and protect the elderly,” Obaseki stated.

  • ICT and digital economy trends: Challenges and opportunities in Nigeria

    By Ibrahim Muhammad

    Coronavirus (COVID-19); the deadly virus hit a great number of countries. It proved to be even worse than the crucial economic, strategic, and political battles happening around the world. The coronavirus outbreak has and still is impacting all industries, including the information and communications technology industries.

    With COVID-19, we are already seeing early signs of a shift in how consumers and businesses behave. Remote working is being encouraged by tech and non-tech companies alike. My humble Director-General, Mr Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi said “Coronavirus forced us to change our behavior and adapt to new habits. New trends have emerged, we do everything remotely; working, learning, meeting, workshops, zoom party, e-wedding, and so on.” Airline profitability is getting impacted by low seat occupancy and closure of air spaces in some countries. Supply chains are getting disrupted globally. Retail stores are running out of ordinary items. Some of these changes are direct while others are indirectly impacting. Short-term responses to these crises will revert the present situation to normalcy once COVID-19 is contained. However, some of these shifts will continue, creating a long-term digital disruption that will shape businesses for decades to come. My humble Director-General, Mr Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi CCIE, once said “In every crisis, there is a hidden opportunity, the most promising silver-lining in this crisis is accelerating trends to shape the future of the digital economy.”

    World Health Organization (WHO) said: “Early cases identified in Wuhan are believed to have acquired infection from a zoonotic source as reported by many people while visiting or working in the Huanan Wholesale Seafood Market.” Still, the exact origin of the COVID-19 is uncertain. Scientists are trying hard to unearth the truth. They are determined to find the original cause of the pandemic as this is very vital in finding a lasting solution to future occurrence of such pandemic.

    According to scientists, people aged over 60 years and those with underlying health conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, chronic respiratory disease, and cancer are liable to the highest risk for severity of the disease and death.

    Tech giants have suspended operations. They have canceled their participation in very important tech events and activities. Conferences and other programmes are also at a halt. Financial objectives are below expectations.

    Innovation is coming together in the most inspiring ways. Researchers are working closely with policymakers and those at the NCDC, Ministry of Health, and other relevant stakeholders to roll out innovations that will mitigate the spread of the deadly virus. This would curtail any contagious disease and bring to patients Digitally-enabled consultations (e.g., video consultations, online consultations). Already some countries have adopted the use of telemedicine as routine practice for dealing with patients overnight in both acute and primary care. Guidance on how to do them well has been produced in response to the degree of need and urgency that COVID-19 presents.

    On the 1st April 2020 The Director-General of NITDA, Mr Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi CCIE, inaugurated a 10-Member Advisory Committee. This is in line with the Agency’s mandate of developing and regulating Information Technology (IT) for sustainable National Development. The committee is tasked to advise Government on measures to be taken to cushion the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, on start-ups, small and medium businesses, and the Technology Ecosystem in Nigeria.

    The MD Galaxy Backbone, Prof. M.B Abubakar discusses a solution that could help restart the Nigerian economy after the lockdown. This will help drive digital/online transactions. Social distancing will be maintained by using video conferencing facilities provided by his organization.

    The number of confirmed coronavirus (COVID-19) cases in recent weeks has forced companies and Government offices to transfer their workers to operate remotely from home making use video digital conferencing for meetings.

    On the 13th March 2020, a statement was released by NCC via KanoFocus newspaper which was signed by its Director, Public Affairs, Henry Nkemadu which stated that the commission is embarking on the building of six Information Communication Technology Parks, to promote socio-economic transformation in Nigeria.

    The ICT parks will provide a commercial hub for ICT capacity building and digital skills. It includes Innovation Labs and Digital Fabrication Laboratories (Fablabs). This is meant for ICT innovators and entrepreneurs for the incubation of ideas. The Digital Economy Drive led by the Honourable Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Ali Pantami, will surely yield a positive result if all the initiatives by his supervisory bodies are fully utilized.

    In most African countries telcos have announced new data rates to support subscribers that are working from home as the government declares lockdown.

    According to the NCC’s latest industry statistics, in January 2020, MTN, Airtel, and Glo gained a combined 2.7 million internet subscribers.

    It also becomes quite clear that both pandemics and recessions are good accelerators for innovation. However, there is a sharp need for a more distributed, coordinated, and trackable supply of components across multiple geographies and vendors, while maintaining economies of scale. This would require global platforms to be erected that can use sophisticated technologies such as 5G, robotics, IoT, and blockchain. This will help link multiple buyers with multiple vendors reliably across a ‘mesh’ of supply chains. The knock-on impact will necessitate the adoption of self-driving cars and delivery drones. Because the demand for eCommerce logistics will far outstrip the number of drivers needed to fulfill them.

    Moreover, the smart cities project could be of help. As governments learn from the COVID-19 experience, it will shift investment in favor of smart cities. It will be critical to have all this to manage the next anticipating crises, which is inevitable. The Key players to benefit from this shift are smart governments, focused companies such as Cisco, Microsoft, Siemens, and digital city startups across the country.

    It is straight forward to predict that the COVID-19 is going to be an accelerator for ICT not only in Nigeria but globally. It promotes remote working as well as online education. What is harder to figure out is what will happen once a majority of the knowledge workforce work together remotely, indefinitely. This shift will likely impact the morale, productivity and mental health of workers throughout the globe and businesses need to prepare for it. This is in line with what the NITDA said “Almost nearly everything we do is powered by digital technologies. Emerging technologies such as IoT, AI, Automation, and Robotic Technology would boost productivities, increase sales, improve efficiency, reduce cost, and keep up with the increasingly sophisticated competition.” For companies looking to add the human touch digitally to their workplace, the choices are limited today, some startups and another handful of tech companies have already swung into leveraging on the opportunities created by the COVID-19. Several mental health startups can double down on solving the problem of isolation. Business networking apps can help solve the mentoring and development challenges that come with being a remote worker.

    COVID-19 has irrevocably changed the way businesses will compete over the next decade. Firms that choose to capitalize on these underlying changes will succeed and the ones that don’t will get disrupted.

    Lastly to me, the total lockdown would be counterproductive. For now, a strategical plan needs to be put in place not only preaching the post-Covid plan. We must learn to live with it all around us and practice the skills of avoiding it. We cannot perfect those skills by locking ourselves up. Same as leaving around with Malaria, cater, and other diseases already accommodated.

    By Muhammad Ibrahim Muhammad

    (Abu Fatima)

  • Why we called off strike – Resident doctors

    …FG carpets resident doctors, says strike needless

    The National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) on Sunday suspended its indefinite strike which started on June 15, following a meeting between the association and Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) in Abuja.

    NARD President, Dr Aliyu Sokomba, who announced this while addressing a news conference in Abuja, said “NEC has resolved to suspend the ongoing indefinite strike with effect from Monday June 22, 2020 by 8a.m. prompt.

    “The national officers shall continue negotiations with stakeholders and progress made shall be reviewed in four weeks during the next National Executive Council meeting in July 2020.

    “The decision to suspend the strike was taken in order to give the Federal and State Governments time to fulfill the outstanding demands following an appeal by the Speaker of House of Representative, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Chairman Nigeria Governors Forum and other stakeholder”.

    He acknowledged the provision of Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) in some hospitals but said there were still need for sustained supplies.

    The president also announced that the Medical Residency Training fund had been included in the revised 2020 budget through the intervention of Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila and would be implemented as soon as the budget was assented to by the President.

    He, however, gave the Federal Government four weeks to make good its promises.

    “At the same time, we await the fulfillment of the promise made by the Nigeria Governors Forum to ensure same is done in all the states.

    “On the salary shortfall for 2014-2016, The Secretary to the Government of the federation has promised to intervene.

    “Government has shown commitment to secure group life insurance for health workers. That the disengaged resident doctors at Jos University Teaching Hospital have been reinstated, the Chief Medical Director has been directed to pay their withheld salaries and comply with the provisions of the Medical Residency.

    “On State Tertiary Health Institutions (STHIs), the Chairman of Nigeria Governors Forum Gov. Kayode Fayemi and the Director General Mr Asishana Okauru, appealed to be given time to discuss with other state Governors of Kogi, Gombe, Lagos, Oyo, Osun, Ogun, Ondo, kaduna, Nasarawa , Enugu, Anabara, Abia and Imo for immediate pay parity with the corrected CONMESS of 2019 and that salary shortfalls due our members will be paid shortly.

    “NARD also met with Gov. Seyi Makinde of Oyo state who also gave his words to favourably look into all challenges of our members in LAUTECH Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso with a view to abiding by the international standard.

    “That the Executive Governors of Delta and Benue from reports by our members have been supportive although more needs to be done.

    “NEC observed that COVID-19 inducement allowance has only been paid to 11 federal health institutions and most state governments are yet to review the hazard allowance of health workers,” he said.

    FG carpets Resident Doctors, says strike needless

    Meanwhile, the federal government has said the strike by the NARD was “needless and insensitive” because issues raised by the association had received attention.

    The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed made this known at a media briefing on Sunday in Abuja.

    The briefing was jointly addressed by Mohammed and Ministers of Health,Mr Osagie Ehanire, Labour and Employment, Mr Chris Ngige.

    Mohammed noted that the strike embarked upon by the Doctors since June 12 was uncalled for, considering the facts the government had responded to their needs and requests.

    “It is pertinent to say that the issues raised by the association while issuing its ultimatum on June 1, have received or are receiving full attention,” he said

    Specifically, the minister said that Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) have been supplied to all States and Federal Tertiary Hospitals and funds for the same were being provided in the revised 2020 budget.

    He said the implementation of the Residency Training programme was backed by the National Assembly, which provided ₦4 billion in the revised 2020 budget.

    “We have paid N9 billion as premium for Group Life Insurance to all our health workers and over N4.6 billion as Special Hazard Allowance to health workers as already acknowledged in at least 35 hospitals.

    “In summary, a total of 55,031 health workers have been paid comprising of 23 COVID-19 designated Hospitals and Medical Centres and 8 non-COVID-19 designated centres amounting to over N7.9 billion,” he said

    He added that other matters relating to non-payment of arrears dating back as 2014 or salaries owed by State Governments, were either in court, or beyond the power of the Federal Ministry of Health to resolve.

    On addressing the COVID-19 pandemic, the minister said apart from the provision of PPEs and other equipment, the federal government expanded testing laboratories from two to 38.

    He said government have trained over 13,000 health workers on Infection, Prevention and Control (IPC) as well as developed policy and protocols for testing returning Nigerians.

    Mohammed said government has evolved policies and protocols for integration of primary healthcare into national response and increased isolation centre bed space from 3,000 to more than 5,000 nationwide.

    The minister expressed concerns that the doctors still opted for the strike ins pite of addressing all issues raised and negotiations facilitated by the National Assembly.

    “We must express the government’s consternation that resident doctors will choose a time like this, when we are battling a pandemic, to embark on a strike.

    “This negates what obtains in other parts of the world, where health workers are rallying around their governments to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic.

    “Nigeria must be among, if not the only nation, where doctors – who are classified as essential workers – have opted for a strike during a national health emergency,” he said

    Mohammed noted that, though many options were opened to the federal government in tackling the strike, yet it chose negotiation over confrontation.

    On his part, Ngige said it was a dire time for any sector, particularly the heath sector to embark on strike.

    He re-echoed that all issues raised by the Doctors had been met by the Government and they should have trust in the Federal Ministry of Health.

    The minister disclosed that the leadership of NARD contacted him by midnight and hinted on the suspension of the strike.

    Speaking in the same vein, Ehanire said it was not time for acrimony and all hands must be on deck for the country to defeat the COVID-19 pandemic and salvage the health sector.

  • VIDEO: Pastor Chris fumes again over COVID-19 guidelines

    VIDEO: Pastor Chris fumes again over COVID-19 guidelines

    Pastor Chris Oyakhilome, President of Believers’ Loveworld Inc. aka Christ Embassy has said pastors who are afraid of the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) do not believe in God.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Pastor Chris stated this in a televised service while faulting the COVID-19 guidelines issued by the government for the gradual reopening of churches.

    He alleged that church leaders are responsible for the guidelines placed on churches, stressing that some leaders have insisted that the government should ensure that churches remain closed.

    “We have to pray for our leaders and pastors who are scared of the virus. You can’t believe in Jesus Christ and be afraid of virus. Jesus touched people with leprosy and healed them. But these people who are afraid are pretending to be representing the Christians. It’s a shame. I think the leaders are laughing at them.

    “If you are a Christian and minister of the gospel and you are afraid of the virus, you have no gospel. Your gospel has ended. The moment you start giving such guidelines to people in the church, you’ve repudiated your faith in Christ.

    “You may not know this but the reason many churches are still shut down is not just government but church leaders who insisted that government should not let the churches open, except the churches follow these wicked guidelines.

    “Some of those guidelines like wearing of gloves before laying hands on the sick, suspending holy communion, holy communion that Jesus Christ told us to take, now we are told to suspend them because of a pandemic, this is crazy,” Pastor Chris said.

    https://twitter.com/ManLikeIcey/status/1274431084684591104?s=19