By Abel Leonard
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), and Chairman, Presidential Steering Committee on Covid19, Mr. Boss Mustapha has said that Nasarawa state deserves special status for reducing the burden of the Federal Government
Mr. Boss Mustapha disclosed this during the Town Hall Meeting organised by the presidential Steering Committee on covid19 in collaboration with National Primary Health Care Development Agency held at Ali Akwe Banquet hall, government house.
Speaking on the Covid-19 situation in the country he said that “as at Monday, 19, April, 2021, the mortality rate as a result of the virus stands at 2,061, while total confirmed cases was 164, 303, and total discharged cases 154, 384”.
On the availability of the covid 19 vaccine, Mr Mustapha said the government is more confident that very soon the country will overcome the Virus, adding that the vaccine is safe and would prevent the spread of the virus, while government will ensure the availability of the vaccine, hence the citizen should present themselves to be vaccinated.
“I want you to take advantage of the moment as very soon you can not travel the world if u are not vaccinated”.
He however, commended the initiative of conducting town hall meeting by the national Primary Health Care Developmental Agency to sensitize and mobilize the citizens to get vaccinated and protect their community against the virus and therefore slow down transmission.
He said “it is the first in the series that will cover the six Geo-political zones in the country, employing all stakeholders to mobilize their community members to take this advantage to get vaccinated against the virus to stop the transmission as that is the only rational for now”.
In his remarks, DR. Osagie Ehanire, Hon. Minister of Health said the North-Central Zone edition of Town hall meetings is the first of such, scheduled to hold in all six geo-political zones of the country, saying the purpose is to brief citizens, on the importance and benefits of vaccination against COVID-19, through community leaders.
The minister further disclosed that the National Primary Health Care Development Agency NPHCDA has laid out an elaborate plan for a smooth rollout of the vaccination, adding that over a million eligible persons have received their first dose of the vaccine, with the second dose assured.
Hon. Ehanire however, reassures traditional, faith and community leaders, that the vaccines Nigeria uses are tested and safe, urging them to recommend it to families and communities as the best protection against the dreaded disease.
“We must contribute to the desired 70% to be vaccinated, not just an act of individual self-protection but a civic duty to curtail the spread of the virus”.
On his part, the Executive Director of the national Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) Dr. Faisal Shuaib in his earlier remark stated that the event is in recognitions of the need to pursue continuous and constructive dialogue with stakeholders at National, State, LGA and community levels in the fight against COVID-19.
Dr. Faisal also said the meeting is in line with the principles of pro-active community engagement, transparency and accountability of the Presidential Steering Committee, under the able leadership of Mr. Boss Mustapha, the Chairman and Secretary to the Government of the Federation.
He however, appreciated the Executive Governors, distinguished lawmakers, members of the Presidential Steering Committee, Traditional and Religious Leaders for taking time out of their very busy schedules to be part of the town hall meeting.
The governor of Nasarawa state, engr. Abdulahi sule in his remarks express his profound appreciation to the Presidential Steering Committee on COVID-19 for the staging of this occasion in Nasarawa State, adding that sensitizing the people of the North Central Zone on the importance of taking the COVID-19 vaccine is apt and material because of the need to take proactive measures for the prevention of the spread of the deadly virus.
Reacting on the supply of the vaccine, he said Nasarawa State COVAX Technical Working Group (TWG) received a total of 61,350 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine on the 9th March 2021, thereby making Nasarawa State to be one of the first two (2) States to commence the first phase roll out of COVID-19 vaccination.
He therefore appeal the Federal Government to further equip the already established Diagnostic Centre with the state-of-art facilities in order to meet the global standard and reduce the rate of medical tourism for the diagnosis and treatment of viruses.
