By Joyce Remi-Babayeju
The West African Health Organization, WAHO and Economic Community West African States, ECOWAS today at the Premier Medical Warehouse in Jabi, Abuja donated critical medical equipment to Nigerian Government to fight the COVID-19 pandemic.
Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire who received the consignment thanked the Director General of WAHO and President of the ECOWAS Commission for the gesture towards supporting the Nigerian Government and it’s citizens be to fight the pandemic.
Ehanire during the handing over ceremony said, ” I am informed that this donation includes ventilators, test kits, personal protective equipment (PPE’s) and face masks, which is always good news, as these products are critical supplies in our COVID-19 response strategy.”
The minister who is the Chair of the ECOWAS COVID-19 Ministerial Coordinating Committee conveyed President Muhammadu Buhari’s appreciation for the donation and the choice of Abuja by ECOWAS and WAHO, as the central hub for receipt and distribution of regional supplies of medical products and equipment for the fight against COVID-19.
He promised that Nigerian Government would play a supportive role to other fellow member states in the ECOWAS subregion, to fight this disease outbreak.
He noted that the pandemic has since had enormous health, economic and social impact particularly on Low and Lower medium countries of the world , adding that since the 27th of February, when the first case was confirmed in Lagos, life has completely changed for Nigerians.
He informed the gathering to that healthworkers in the nation are toiling assiduously to treat COVID-19 patients, provide emergency care, while not losing sight of routine and essential health services, that the provision of these test kits and personal protective equipment (PPE)will generate even more peace of mind to facilitate their work.
The minister acknowledged efforts by development partners like the German Government, BMZ and GIZ towards fighting the pandemic in Nigeria.
