The World Health Organisation has warned Nigeria to stop the spread of COVID-19 now that cases are still few.
The world body said it might be too late, too hard, or almost impossible to deal with a much bigger and wider crisis.
The Director-General of the WHO, Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus, said in Geneva, Switzerland, on Friday Nigeria should stop the virus from spreading by identifying and isolating those who had tested positive.
Nigeria has 70 confirmed cases and one death while three persons have recovered; about 4,370 persons who have had contact with positive cases are also being traced.
But Ghebreyesus said Nigeria might not be able to cope with a surge in cases should the community transmission starts.
He said, “We need to do the public health interventions effectively to test cases, to follow up contacts and isolate the cases so the problem doesn’t grow. Meaning, from the sporadic cases or cluster cases, they would not grow into community transmission.
“The problem comes when community transmission starts, when the number of cases builds; when that happens, then doing the solutions, follow up, quarantine and so on would be difficult if not impossible. At the same time, growing cases means the healthcare system could be overwhelmed too.”
The WHO chief said Nigeria should invest more in public health interventions and follow the body’s guidelines on COVID-19 to prevent the spread of the deadly virus.
Over 25,000 people have died from the coronavirus, more than 550,000 have been infected and over 127,000 have recovered globally.
China pledges to help Nigeria contain COVID-19
China has promised to share COVID-19 containment strategies, drugs and vaccines with Nigeria.
The Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Dr Zhou Pingjian, said he and other Chinese diplomats would stay in the country and work closely with medical professionals to defeat the coronavirus pandemic.
Speaking while presenting some medical items, including hand gloves, sanitisers, automatic hand dryers and other hygiene products to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Abuja on Friday, the envoy said it was imperative for the international community to strengthen confidence, act with unity and work together in a collective response.
Though the situation in China is now under control with life gradually returning to normal, Pingjian said, “Yet, there is no way we will lower our guard or relax control.”
He said his country received strong political support and assistance in various means from the Federal Government and Nigerians during the most difficult period in China’s fight against coronavirus.
The diplomat said, “Despite the daunting task of epidemic control remaining at home, China will try its best to provide medical supplies to Nigeria and do whatever it could to support Nigeria.
“China will continue to share information and experience with Nigeria and strengthen cooperation on containment, treatment and vaccines in response to the COVID-19 challenge, with a view to building together a community of shared health for mankind.”
The Director, Planning, Research and Statistics, Mr Lot Egopija, lauded the Chinese government for the donation and the promised assistance.
