By Dwelleth Morountodun
The World Health Organization (WHO) has endorsed the use of Hydroxychloquine for the treatment of COVID-19 positive cases.
Briefing the media in Abuja on Wednesday, the Chairman, PTF, Mr. Boss Mustapha, said the use of the drug was halted in March 20, due to an ongoing pending review of all safety data by trial Data Safety Monitoring Committee (DSMC).
On containing the trajectory of the spread of the virus, he said response needs to be decentralized to the LGA level, with a view to identifying high burden LGAs and ensuring mapping of adequate support to rapidly trace, test and treat cases.
He added that sates need to drive aggressive campaigns to engage communities in order to address behavior change and debunk misconceptions and stigma of infected persons.
He said: “As we approach the weekend, we remind the public to be aware of the guidelines set for restricted opening of places of worship.
“National guidelines have been shared with the states and we expect that protocols will be agreed with religious leaders, adding that compliance is important so as to avoid unwanted consequences that put the lives of people at risk of contracting the virus.
The PTF will continue to monitor the overall compliance to the easing of restriction as well as evolution of the outbreak, he said.
He said: “You will recall that the hydroxychloroquine in the on-going solidarity trial on effective treatments for COVID-19 was temporarily halted by the WHO on 25th May, 2020 pending review of all safety data by the Solidarity Trial Data Safety Monitoring Committee (DSMC).
The WHO, as part of efforts to find a cure to the COVID-19, has resumed the inclusion of patients in the hydroxychloroquine arm of the study.
“The PTF however advises against self-medication in all circumstances.
“Let’s be prepared to be quarantined and to monitor our health for onset of symptoms because it is important for us to break the chain of transmission and prevent the further spread of COVID-19.
“Earlier in the week we raised the red flag and enumerated our efforts to cut down the rate of infection among medical workers.”
He said NCDC is stepping up training on infection, prevention and control to slow this emerging situation down, stressing the country needs it’s health workers to be healthy and available.
To guarantee a seamless flow of agricultural activities, he said the guidelines have exempted the agricultural value chain from the restrictions put in place.
It is therefore important that we do everything possible to guarantee our food security by supporting our hardworking farmers to function.
On foreign supported, Mustapha, said the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) delivered test reagents, kits and a PCR Machine as support from Nigeria’s development partners.