Again, FG restates commitment to strengthening routine health care services amidst COVID-19

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The Minister of State for Health, Dr. Olorunnimbe Mamora has again declared Government’s commitment to strengthening routine health care services even in the face of COVID-19, particularity the immunization progammes.

Dr. Mamora made this declaration at the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 Press Briefing in Abuja on Monday, 24th August, 2020.

According to him, “We shall not lose sight of the fact that COVID-19 is not the only health challenge faced by our people.  We shall therefore ensure that routine services are strengthened. This pandemic has further underscored the importance of immunization and vaccination to good health.” The Honourable Minister added that strengthening routine immunization shall continue to receive attention especially as Nigeria will receive her polio-free certification this week.

In line with Government’s commitment towards this, Dr. Mamora reported that about 456 Motorcycles and Computers meant to enhance the Routine Immunization Officers’ ability for supportive supervision of service providers, and support the generation and on-site utilisation of programme data to continuously improve the quality of the immunization programme in Nigeria were commissioned on Friday, 21st August, 2020.

On the nation’s COVID-19 cases, the Minister disclosed that  as at 24th August, 2020, Nigeria regrettably has lost a total of 1,002 persons to COVID-19, with about 52,227 positive cases out of 379,542 samples tested so far, while about 38,945 persons have been treated and discharged.  He added that adhering to the non-pharmaceutical interventions to curb the virus cannot be overemphasized.

Dr. Mamora explained that as the nation continues to gain experience from managing COVID-19; the need to improve quality of care, strengthening health system and seamless patient evacuation especially in emergency situation have become crucial.  “We shall therefore, continue to review and strive for improvement in the treatment of COVID-19 symptomatic cases, older adults, and those with already existing medical conditions with the view to reducing our case fatality rate”, he said.

He also assured that Government will continue to work together with the private sector for improved healthcare delivery in Nigeria.