The federal government has said despite the COVID-19 pandemic, it is committed to ensuring that the routine health care service is strengthened, particularity the immunization progammes.
The Minister of State for Health, Dr. Olorunnimbe Mamora made this position known at the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 Press Briefing in Abuja earlier in the week.
In a statement issued by the Ministry’s Director, Information, Media & Public Relations, Olujimi Oyetomi, the Minister said, “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.”
He further added that strengthening routine immunization shall continue to receive attention especially as Nigeria receives her polio-free certification.
The statement further said, “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 Nigeria regrettably has lost little above one thousand persons to COVID-19.
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.
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