Political interference by some state governments and top officials at the federal level may be hindering efforts by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) to adequately respond to the threat posed by the lethal virus–Covid-19 in the country.
President of Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Dr. Francis Faduyile disclosed this on Saturday, while speaking with journalists in Abuja after reviewing policies, programmes and activities implemented so far in the management of COVID-19 outbreak in Nigeria.
He said the centre has been unable to discharge its functions in some states of the federation, despite the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) (Establishment) Act 2018 which empowers the NCDC to lead the national response in disease outbreaks and public health emergencies, and to coordinate diverse kinds of feedback.
Last Thursday, NCDC officials sent to Kogi fled the state after Governor Yayaha Bello insisted that they must first of all self isolate for 14 days before being allowed to discharge their onerous duties.
Also, in Akwa Ibom state there have been some controversies on its number of confirmed Covid-19 cases, amid sacking of a top Epidemiologist for allegedly failing to tinker with number of recorded cases in the state.
“Aside threats and in some instances, prevention from collecting and testing samples of suspected cases of COVID-19, the pronouncements of some political leaders constitute outright interference in NCDC’s coordination of case treatment for effectiveness and learning lessons,” he said.
“The NMA vehemently decries the stance of Governments of Kogi and Cross River states to NCDC’s advisory. While it would be welcome news for a ‘no-positive-case’ status in any state or FCT, every state must ensure that it is following the testing guideline issued by NCDC.
“That way, no cases are missed, as that would seriously imperil the whole national response to controlling COVID-19 pandemic.”
The body, therefore, appealed to the Federal Government to direct through the Presidential Task Force (PTF) an investigation into the claims of the two state governments in the interest of safeguarding Nigeria’s public health, and to recommend appropriate remedial intervention (s), if necessary to the President.
On challenges with testing: specimen collection, transport, and inadequate testing kits and testing centres, the NMA President said the Association review revealed verifiable difficulties in collecting samples, transporting them in the proper media and dearth of test kits by the coordinating authorities.
He said this development was coming a few days after being told of the markedly increased capacity of 50,000 samples per day in 21 laboratories to ramp up testing nationwide.
The body blamed this on poor coordination, poor planning, poor forecasting and slow response to developments.
“This depressing development saddens NMA because it will wipe away the efforts made so far by the Government, PTF and Nigerians in the public reaction against COVID-19 pandemic.
“The Association places the responsibility on the PTF and NCDC to find the fastest workable solutions to fix this challenge, including incorporating the approved private sector laboratories that already have established specimen pick up and transport modalities,” he said.
