There is anxiety that the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic could result in an increased number of infections and deaths in Nigeria.
Minister of State for Health, Olorunimbe Mamora, told State House correspondents in Abuja that the COVID-19 figures are rising and a lot of people are getting infected.
Making reference to the Spanish flu of 1918, Mamora, who spoke after he had a private meeting with Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, advised Nigerians to learn from history and take greater responsibility in protecting themselves as the second wave of the pandemic might be more devastating.
“You recall that in the Spanish flu of 1918, more people died in the second wave than in the first wave; so, we don’t want this history to repeat itself.
“We know what is happening in some climes this time in terms of hospitalization, deaths and so on, from this covid-19 pandemic,” Mamora said.
Reminding Nigerians of the COVI9-19 protocols put in place by the Presidential Task Force, Mamora said it was necessary for people to continue to observe non-pharmaceutical measures to check the spread of the virus.
“We did warn, or we did alert, Nigerians that right from the word go, that this is something that is going to be with us for quite a while until a vaccine is available.
“But we didn’t stop at that; we further said that even when a vaccine is available, because of the enormity of the problem, the vaccine will not be available to everybody at the same time.
“So, our advice from the PTF and from the Federal Ministry of Health; first, is that individuals have primary responsibility for their own health, and if people take it that way, there will need to adhere to the non-pharmaceutical interventions, which we have always preached.” The minister said.
The minister said that one of the greatest non-pharmaceutical interventions is the “proper and appropriate use” of face masks; frequent washing of hand and use of sanitizer as well as social and physical distancing.
“It is real; within this one week, I know a lot of people have died that I knew personally. It is painful—and I mean—very, very painful,” Mamora said.
Issues around vaccine
Mamora said that the Nigerian government is seriously working to procure the COVID-19 pandemic, but pointed out that there were many issues around it.
He noted that the cost element, the logistics of storage, transportation, supply and even the politics of it is involved.
The minister also pointed out that since Nigeria does not manufacture any of the vaccines, there are so many factors to be taken into considerations including anxiety and the fact that some people still feel they don’t need to take the vaccine.
“These are all issues we need to grapple with, and we also need to know which of the vaccines, because there are different vaccines available.
“Well, available may not be the word because is it really available; there are so many vaccine candidates that we have right now, but which ones should we be looking at.
“We already have in place a task force on a vaccine that will look at these issues, and advise the government, in particular the FMOH, as appropriate.
“Even the countries that manufacture these vaccines, the natural tendency is to say let’s satisfy our own demands first. So, we cannot tell you now since we have to depend on them.
“Yes, we are part of the global COVAX Facility; being taken care of by WHO, which is just to ensure that no one is left and that this is equitable distribution.
“But can you really be sure that equitable distribution will really be equitable in the real sense? He queried.
Festive period
On compliance with COVID-19 protocols during the Christmas and New Year period, Mamora urged Nigerians to appreciate that it is in their best interest, as individuals, to voluntarily take measures to protect themselves.
“When you talk about enforcement, there is a limit to what you can do in terms of enforcement. Having said that, where we can enforce, we will do as much as we can to enforce, but it is better for people to engage in voluntary engagement, rather than forced compliance,” he stated.
Zainab Sa’id
