FG develops action plan against coronavirus, raises response committee

The Federal Government has developed an action plan to curtail the spread of coronavirus in the event of any outbreak in the country; while it also raised up a response Committee.

The government also convoked an inter-ministerial preparedness and response meeting held at the Federal Ministry of Health, Abuja on Friday, with the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed and the Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire in attendance.

The meeting is to review Nigeria’s strategic plans for tackling the novel Coronavirus infection, which originated from China and has killed hundreds of people and close to one million now infected in some countries of the world.

Speaking at the crucial meeting, Lai Mohammed, said the global community is confident in Nigeria’s ability to contain the spread of the disease.

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He, therefore, called on Nigerians not to panic over the Coronavirus, as the Government of Nigeria is ready to combat and curtail Conovirus if discovered in the country.

However, the Minister of information explained that public advocacy and enlightenment were germane in preventing an outbreak in the country.

Lai Mohammed said, “The good news we have is that the international community has a lot of confidence in Nigeria, especially since our victory over the Ebola virus. The world is not expecting anything less from us (on Coronavirus).

“We, however, need to enlighten our people. We would deploy all our platforms to educate Nigerians about the new viral infection.”

Also speaking, Ehanire, called on relevant government agencies to assure Nigerians of government’s capacity to detect, assess, and respond to the virus, particularly in States with points of entry into the country.

Already, the minister of health said disease surveillance has been heightened at the international airports in Abuja, Lagos, Rivers, Kano, and Enugu states following the detection of two suspected cases in the Ivory Coast and Kenya.

To further ensure inclusive and coordinated response to the Coronavirus outbreak, the minister said the inter-ministerial meeting would give birth to a comprehensive action plan and an implementation committee to drive the process.

He said: “Africa has had two suspected cases of the Coronavirus infection, but there are no confirmed cases yet. While the risk of importation exists, we assure all Nigerians that the Federal Government is strongly committed to strengthening preparedness in the event of novel Coronavirus outbreak.

“As we continue to monitor the situation, Nigerians are advised to remain calm and protect themselves through proper sanitation and hygiene practices.”