Category: Uncategorized

By: Frank Ikpefan, Abuja

 

The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics(ASUP) has put on hold its planned industrial action because of the spread of coronavirus, which has resulted in the closure of tertiary institutions in the country.

The union said it had planned to embark on strike in April because of the inability of the Federal government to keep to agreements entered since 2010 as well as the avoidable shortcomings associated with the payment of February 2020 salaries in federal polytechnics through the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System.

ASUP President, Anderson Ezeibe, in a statement on Sunday said the union’s 97th National Executive Council meeting had resolved to embark on an industrial action after the expiration of a 15-day ultimatum issued with effect from March 18, 2020.

He said the ultimatum expired on April 3, 2020.

Ezeibe said that the union would embark on a nationwide strike action after the coronavirus pandemic crisis subsides in the country.

The statement reads: “As a consequence of the inability of the government to keep to agreements entered into with our union since 2010 as well as the avoidable shortcomings associated with the payment of February 2020 salaries in federal polytechnics in the country, our union’s 97th National Executive Council meeting had resolved to embark on an industrial action after the expiration of a 15-day ultimatum issued with effect from March 18, 2020. The ultimatum expired on April 3, 2020.

Read Also: Buhari orders military strikes on bandits in Sokoto, Plateau

 

“Key aspects of our dispute with the government include; avoidable shortcomings in the deployment of the IPPIS payment platform in polytechnics in February 2020 salaries; non-payment of salaries in some state-owned institutions of up to 17 months; non-release of the agreed revitalisation fund in lieu of the anticipated implementation of the NEEDS Assessment survey report for public Polytechnics since 2014; Non conclusion of the renegotiation of the union’s 2010 agreement with the government; Violations of extant provisions of the Polytechnics Act (2019 Amendment) by governing councils of some Polytechnics; and others.

“The government through its agencies has remained insensitive to these issues over the years and has continued to demonstrate such attitude as seen in the delay in the release of March 2020 salaries of our members. By so doing, government has unwittingly encouraged the declaration of this impending strike action by our union.

“However, our union is concerned at the prevailing but unacceptable rate of the spread of the dreaded Covid-19 pandemic across the nation. Moved by the need to collectively arrest the growing spread of this scourge in our nation, the union has resolved to put on hold its proposed industrial action in deference to overriding national interest to resume at a more auspicious period.

“Encourage our members nationwide to play complementary roles to the extent of the deployment of their professional competencies as well as participating in safe community action efforts in the fight against the covid-19 pandemic.”

Ends….

Our Reporter

 

An SS2 Student, Augustine Uchenna, of Community Secondary School, Inshinkwo, Onicha LGA EBONYI has won the NYSC Inter Secondary Mathematics competition for all Secondary Schools in Onicha LGA.

The competition was powered by Corper Aremu Ridwan at Community Secondary School, Abaomege.

In a fierce contest that saw eight schools under Onicha LGA local Government of EBONYI state represented, Uchenna scored 57 percent to emerge the winner of the competition, which had objective and theory parts that lasted for 75 minutes.

The first runner up was Ali Diamond, an SS3 student of Hephzibah Comprehensive College, Abamege while the second runner up was Ekpe Benita, an SS3 student of Community Secondary School, Abaomege.

Presenting the prize to the winners, the Principal of Community Secondary School Abaomege, Mrs. Uka Ogar, commended the participants for displaying excellent performance in Mathematics.

Read Also: ‘Integrated education’ key to nation-building, says don

 

He lauded Ridwan for coming up with such a special competition, the first of its kind in the whole of Ebonyi state.

She thanked NYSC for providing the necessary support for Ridwan.

The schools represented at the competition include were: Community Secondary School Abaomege, Community Secondary School Oshiri, Community Secondary School Inshinkwo, Stella Maris College Ukawu, Nwaliobu Alo Memorial Secondary School, Sagacity International College Abaomege, Standard Foundation College Abaomege and Hephzibah Comprehensive College Abaomege.

Ridwan urged participants to shun phobia for mathematics as it affects their competence in the studying and understanding of the subject.

He thanked NYSC for granting the competition as his Personal CDs and appreciated all serving corps members in Abaomege for their immense support before, during and after the competition.

This week’s write up would have been entirely different but for the many people I observed wearing homemade face masks.

The reason is not far-fetched. Surgical mask hitherto selling for between N30-N50 per one, now sells for N500-N2 000 per one since the outbreak of coronavirus.

This brings to mind the popular saying, ‘necessity is the mother of invention’. However, how effective is this homemade face masks? Are we actually getting the result we want from them? Another question is, must we all wear face masks? Does it actually protect against this disease? These and many more are what formed the focus of this week’s publication.

As we see the number of COVID-19 cases multiplying worldwide, the recommendations around whether or not we should all be wearing face masks are getting more and more confusing. Experts in China recommend that everyone should wear one. In other countries like Japan and Hong Kong, people are advised to wear them if they are going to be in a crowded area.

In the US, the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) does not recommend face masks for people unless they are healthcare workers, sick, or taking care of someone that is sick.

Similarly, the WHO (World Health Organisation) directs that face masks don’t really prevent healthy people from getting infected from viruses.

So what should we be doing?

What experts say

When it comes to masks, there is strong agreement that N95 respirators (the kind of mask that requires fit testing) protect trained healthcare provider from getting infected through airborne and droplet particles in the healthcare setting. Surgical face masks help prevent the spread of infections through droplets among healthcare workers. There is also evidence that surgical masks help prevent sick people from infecting healthy people.

Experts also recognise that right now there are major shortages of protective face masks and respirators for frontline healthcare staff, so the general public should help by staying home and potentially donating their supplies to hospitals, until more masks become available.

How masks work

Basically, there are two major types of masks.

Surgical masks fit loosely in front of your mouth and nose. They are good at protecting others from droplets leaving the wearer’s mouth and offer some protection if someone sneezes or coughs around you. Again, because they are not airtight, airborne particles (particles that hang in the air) can still enter your mouth or nose when you breathe. From what we know so far, it is still not clear whether COVID-19 can be spread through airborne particles; WHO has put out information stating that this is not an airborne virus, but there is data that it can be aerosolized.

Respirators (people commonly hear of the N95 respirator) are meant to have a tight seal around the mouth and nose. They can prevent outgoing droplets, incoming droplets, and airborne particles, so are ideal for hospital workers that are in very close contact with sick people with certain conditions (especially when they are doing procedures).

The data on surgical masks effectiveness in preventing infections

Right now, it is based on data from the spread of other infections (like flu and SARS).

There are a bunch of studies to show that face masks can be effective at preventing infection among healthcare staff in the hospital setting, even compared to N95 respirators. During the SARS epidemic one study found that 0% healthcare workers that wore a surgical face mask or respirator got infected (7% of those who wore a DIY paper mask did get infected).

When it comes to the general population in the “real” world, it’s much harder to say. Studies looking at face masks to prevent the spread of infection among family when one member was sick found that people were not consistent about using them, took them off after a few hours, and may not have done all the other things (like handwashing) to protect themselves. But in situations where people did follow instructions and wore the masks appropriately, there did seem to be benefit in reducing the spread of infection.

When it comes to N95 masks, they are only as effective as the seal. So, ideally, healthcare workers should be wearing them with a complete seal, especially if they are doing high risk procedures. If they are not worn correctly and are not tightly sealed, there seems to be very limited difference for healthcare workers (and by extension, the general population) between wearing a surgical mask and N95.

What to know if you want to make a DIY mask

After the H1N1flu pandemic of 2009, researchers at Cambridge University tested a whole range of household materials for DIY masks using particles both larger and smaller than the size of the new coronavirus.

They found that surgical masks worked really well- blocking 97% of large (bacteria-size particles) and around 80% of particles smaller than the coronavirus. But some materials for DIY masks also performed pretty well (for large particles: vacuum cleaner bags (95%), dish cloths (83%) and 100% cotton shirts (69%) and for small particles: 100% cotton shirts (50%)). They also tested for breathability, a key ingredient for successful use of a face mask, and found that 100% cotton t-shirts and pillowcases were the best.

Taken together, this information shows that wearing a face covering made from 100% cotton can be better than nothing. But remember, we don’t have any studies in the real life setting, so this is a “maybe”!

What about wearing a mask during the COVID-19 pandemic?

We know that the new coronavirus can be spread by people without symptoms and that symptoms can develop after 5 days (sometimes even longer). In this situation, it makes sense to wear a face mask if you have to go into a crowded area, especially for those who are at higher risk of complications (older people, those with a long-term medical condition, people with weakened immune systems and pregnant women).

Right now, since healthcare workers so desperately need masks to protect themselves, everyone that can should stay home so they don’t need to use them.

As the supply of masks grows, it seems reasonable for people to wear face masks if they need to be around others. The key is to remember that all of the other recommendations still stand: don’t touch your face, wash your hands, and dispose of the face covering safely without contaminating yourself.

While some do disagree about the role of face masks in protecting the general public from COVID-19, all experts agree that the main ways to protect ourselves is frequent, vigorous handwashing, disinfecting high-touch surfaces, keeping a distance of 6 feet from others, and staying away from sick people. Additionally, the main way that the general public can help during this pandemic is to maintain social distancing and stop going out for anything “non-essential.”

 

• With additional report by Neha Pathak of WebMd

Kolade Adeyemi, Kano

 

Bayero University’s Department of Pure and Industrial Chemistry has mobilized its staff for the production of Hand Sanitizers to be used within the university campus and possibly the Kano community.

Already, a number of the academic staff from the Department who volunteered to participate in the project with a view to contributing their quota towards fighting the COVID 19, are currently in the laboratories formulating the sanitizers based on the World Health Organization’s (WHO) specifications.

According to the Head, Department of Pure and Industrial Chemistry, Dr. Ibrahim Tajo Siraj who revealed this on Friday to reporters, said that the idea was borne out of the desire to give a helping hand in the fight against the disease.

He said, in view of the gravity of the Coronavirus and the urgent need for all stakeholders to join hands in containing the pandemic, the Department felt it had a vital role to play in this direction.

“As you are aware, Universities were known to be serving as research centres where solutions are proffered for any problem facing the society, and now it is time to prove to this, hence, our decision to mobilize our members to the laboratories with a view to producing hand sanitizers as stop-gap measures,” he declared.

Dr. Tajo Siraj, noted that the Department has all that it takes to produce the internationally standard hand sanitizers in line with the specifications of the World Health Organization (WHO). “We have the technical experts, we have standard laboratories for the formulation and we have the commitment to do it.”

Read Also; Police in Anambra apprehend 4 fake health officials with fake sanitisers

He said at the moment, after the production of the sample of the hand sanitizers it would be submitted to the University Management for further action which may include possible financial backing to procure the chemicals and other implements for mass production.

“As you can see now, our scientists from the Department of Pure and Industrial Chemistry are currently in the laboratories mixing the chemicals to come up with a quality and standard hand sanitizers,” said the Dr. Siraj.

According to him, the idea was part of the University’s contribution towards containing the spread of the disease. He pointed out that, since we do not have advanced medical facilities, the best thing to do under the circumstance is to produce hand sanitizers and distribute to the public which is a very fundamental strategy in fighting the disease.

Explaining further, Professor Abdurahman Abdul Audu, who was also at the Laboratory helping other researchers said, the BUK branded hand sanitizers would be very effective as they will strictly abide by the WHO standards.

“According to WHO, the required formulations for hand sanitizers include ethanol, hydrogen peroxide as well as glycerol and water, so here in BUK we shall strictly adhere to this formulations.”

Meanwhile, the Head of Department of Pure and Industrial Chemistry, has revealed that talks are on top gear between the Department and the Kano Zone of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), for collaboration towards ensuring producing the sanitizers for ASUU.

Nigeria’s coronavirus cases have risen to 190 as six new cases were confirmed in Osun state.

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) made this known on Friday.

NCDC tweeted, “Six new cases of COVID-19 have been reported in Osun State, Nigeria.

“As of 11:00 am on 3rd of April, there are 190 confirmed cases of COVID-19 reported in Nigeria. 20 have been discharged with two deaths.

Read Also; Aregbesola, AGF meet on decongesting correctional facilities

Currently;
Lagos- 98
FCT- 38
Osun- 20
Oyo- 8
Akwa Ibom- 5
Ogun- 4
Edo- 4
Kaduna- 4
Bauchi- 3
Enugu- 2
Ekiti- 2
Rivers-1
Benue- 1

The number of coronavirus infections in South Korea passed the 10,000 mark, health authorities said on Friday, with 86 new cases recorded since the previous day.

The total number of infections increased to 10,062 and the death toll rose by five to 174, according to the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Seoul.

The numbers confirmed an encouraging stabilisation of numbers, which have hovered around the 100 mark for the past three weeks, a clear downward trend which began in March after numbers peaked at the end of February with over 900 cases recorded in a day.

Read Also: COVID-19 brings tough times, says ex-Eaglets captain

For a fourth straight day, more new cases, 34, were recorded from the capital city Seoul and the surrounding Gyeonggi Province than in what has so far been the outbreak epicentre in the country: North Gyeongsang Province and city of Daegu, 23.

“Imported” cases in patients recently returned from abroad also continued to increase, with 22 new infections bringing the total to 264.

In order to reduce the risk of infection from imported cases from abroad, all arrivals have been placed in a two-week quarantine since Wednesday.

(dpa/NAN)

Adekunle Yusuf

In the face of raging coronavirus pandemic disrupting social order across the globe, the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) has advised all persons living with HIV to stay safe and be vigilant.

In his message to PLWAs, the Director-General of NACA, Dr. Gambo Gumel Aliyu, said the virus is a serious global respiratory pandemic, which has no cure for now.

While adding that the virus is dangerous for anyone, Aliyu said people with pre-existing medical challenges are the ones that suffer severely from the disease because of poor immunity. He, therefore, admonished people living with HIV to refrain from joining mass gatherings by staying at home, practising personal hygiene and be vigilant in order not contract coronavirus.

Read Also: ‘We are gradually getting our act together’ on COVID-19

“People with weak body defense systems suffer serious consequences. People living with HIV must continue to take all the necessary precautions given by World Health Organisation and Nigeria Center for Disease Control with special emphasis on adherence to antiretroviral medications, minimising exposure to COVID-19 by staying at home, hand washing and practising personal hygiene, and social distancing. Stay safe and healthy. If you experience fever, cough, difficulty in breathing or any suspicious symptom, please call COVID hotline: 08033264035 or seek medical care immediately,” he said.

Wealthy individuals, banks and other organisations are coming to the aid of federal and state governments by donating materials and hefty sums to fight coronavirus, reports Associate Editor ADEKUNLE YUSUF

Amid fears that the economic situation of the country may hamper efforts to fight coronavirus, corporate organisations and affluent individuals have entered the fray, donating billions to help in containing the spread of the pandemic in Nigeria.

The Federal Government led in this regard by approving an immediate release of a N10 billion grant to boost the fight against the spread of coronavirus. In a statement, President Muhammadu Buhari said the money would be released to Lagos State, Nigeria’s commercial centre, which has the highest number of coronavirus cases in the country. “This grant will enable Lagos increase its capacity to control and contain the outbreak, while also supporting other States with capacity-building,” he said in a tweet.

Buhari said further that he acted based on extensive briefings he had received on the state of the nation as it relates to the Covid-19 pandemic. “The immediate release of a N10 billion grant to Lagos State, which remains the epicentre of the Covid-19 outbreak in Nigeria. This grant will enable Lagos increase its capacity to control and contain the outbreak, while also supporting other states with capacity-building.”

He also approved N5 billion special intervention fund to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), the country’s leading national public health institution. Besides leading efforts to control other infectious diseases, the NCDC has been at the forefront of the coronavirus pandemic, collating numbers and responding to suspected cases of the virus.

“The immediate release of a N5 billion special intervention fund to the Nigeria Center for Disease Control to equip, expand and provide personnel to its facilities and laboratories across the country,” Buhari said.

As if that was the cue many were waiting for, well-to-do individuals and corporate organisations joined in donating billions to assist the country to defeat coronavirus. The Chinese billionaire and founder of Alibaba, Jack Ma, was the first to make global headlines with his donation of essential medical supplies to fight the coronavirus pandemic in Nigeria. He donated 20,000 test kits to Nigeria. His effort was seen as an example of how private businesses can utilise their assets and resources for social good amid a devastating outbreak that shut down the global economy.

The business moguls were also not left out. Preparing for the worst, the Central Bank of Nigeria, on behalf of the Bankers’ Committee and in partnership with the private sector led by Aliko Dangote Foundation and Access Bank, has galvanised corporate organisations in Nigeria and abroad to forge a united front with a view to assisting Africa’s most populous country. This has given birth to the Nigerian Private Sector Coalition against COVID-19 – an initiative created out of the urgent need to combat the unfolding COVID-19 crisis before it spreads all over the country.

The objectives of the Coalition are mainly to mobilise private sector thought leadership and resources, help in creating general public awareness, education and buy-in and provide direct support to private and public healthcare’s ability to respond to the crisis. So far, though the Coalition may not have realised over N120billion it seeks to procure all needed equipment, materials and all infrastructure needed to fight this pandemic, its efforts are already yielding positive results that can support government’s efforts. An account has since been set up at the CBN to receive both local and foreign currency donations.

The United Bank for Africa (UBA) led the pack with a donation of over N5 billion, through the UBA Foundation, to catalyse a comprehensive pan-African response to the fight against the Coronavirus (COVID-19) global pandemic. The donation is to provide the much-needed support to Nigeria and 19 other African countries, by supplying relief materials, critical care facilities, and financial support to governments. A breakdown of the support showed N1 billion will go to Lagos, N500 million to Federal Capital Territory (FCT), N1 billion to the remaining 35 states in Nigeria, N1.5 billion to UBA’s presence countries in Africa. The pan-African bank has also committed to funding a medical centre in Lagos, with beds for isolation and ICU facilities, to be managed and operated in partnership with Heirs Holdings’ healthcare subsidiary, Avon Medical Hospital.

In addition, UBA has promised to provide a free telemedicine platform, which is physician-led, to provide direct access to medical advice to citizens – in compliance with social distancing requirements.  This, the bank said, will provide direct access to medical advice for up to 450,000 citizens every day. “This global pandemic must bring citizens, governments and business leaders together – and quickly. As we see a rapidly increasing number of cases of the coronavirus in Nigeria and Africa, the private sector has to work hand in hand with various governments in stemming the spread of the global pandemic,” Tony Elumelu, UBA chairman said in a statement.

In terms of amount donated, the Mike Adenuga Foundation (MAF), founded by Dr. Mike Adenuga Jr. followed with a donation of N1.5 billion to support Nigeria’s fight against the coronavirus pandemic. A cheque of N500million has since been presented to Lagos State and N1billion to the FG. Several affluent players in the private sector, including Femi Otedola, Abdulsamad Rabiu, Herbert Wigwe, Segun Agbaje and Dangote, Africa’s richest man, Jim Ovia, FirstBank Plc Chairman Mrs. Ibukun Awosika, Nigeria’s richest woman Mrs Folorunso Alakija and her husband have contributed N1billion each to support the government in containing the pandemic. According to the Federal Ministry of Finance, the following banks and corporate bodies have helped the cause of containing the pandemic: Zenith Bank (N1billion), Access Bank (N1billion), GT Bank (N1billion), Keystone Bank (N1billion), First Bank (N1billion), UBA (N2billion), Sterling Bank (N250million) and NNPC (N11billion).

Already, Lagos has taken delivery of a 110-bed isolation facility on the Lagos Island, where COVID-19 patients can be managed and treated. The facility was conceived and built by Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB). The project, which took days to construct, is sited on the main bowl of the Mobolaji Olufunsho Johnson Stadium in Onikan. The isolation facility is equipped with world-class equipment and medical supplies that would aid Lagos to deliver adequate care to those infected with the disease.

Individuals, such as former Defence Minister Gen. T.Y. Danjuma (N1billion), former Vice President Atiku Abubakar (N50million), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu (N200million), Tuface Idibia (N10million), Akaninyere Adiaka (N100,000), Psalmist Ekpedeme (N100,000) and Ben Legacy (N500,000) have assisted in the fight against coronavirus. Religious bodies and other organisations have embraced the idea by donating fund and materials to save the country from the vicious virus. Members of the upper and lower legislative chambers have also pledged to support the fight with a fraction of their salaries. Obviously impressed, President Buhari has commended the philanthropists for not abandoning Nigerians in their hours of need. “President Muhammadu Buhari has saluted the public-spiritedness of wealthy Nigerians and organisations for standing up to be counted in the battle against the Covid-19 pandemic,” according to a statement released by Femi Adesina, the special adviser to the President on media and publicity.

With over 764,768 confirmed coronavirus cases and still counting, there is no doubt that the world is in an emergency mode, with authorities racing against time to stop the spread of the pandemic that has claimed more than 36,000 lives worldwide. In Nigeria, which has recorded 139 confirmed cases of coronavirus (as at Tuesday afternoon), fears of possible escalation of infections are rife.

To prevent the spread of the vicious virus to the community level and avert a huge public health crisis, Buhari has embraced similar measures employed by many countries with mass infections. On March 29, he revved up anti-COVID-19 fight by announcing a lockdown in Lagos, Abuja and Ogun for two weeks. With the announcement, Nigerians have been directed to stay at home as all travels are banned, borders closed and offices remained under lock and key – though with exemptions given to essential service workers.

Before that, as a proactive measure, Federal Government has set up a Presidential Task Force for the Control of coronavirus. Similar to that adopted for the HIV epidemic in the last two decades, the Task Force, as advised by the WHO, is a multi-sectoral inter-governmental team comprising the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Boss Mustapha as Chairman, Dr. Sani Aliyu as National Coordinator, Ministers of Health, Interior, Aviation, Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Services, Education, Information and Culture, Environment, Directors-General, State Services, Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) and WHO Country Representative.

Travel restrictions have also been put in place to keep potential carriers of the virus from high-risk countries out of Nigeria. All international airports and land borders have been closed for four weeks to prevent further imported cases into the country. The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has also made its fleet available to the Task Force on Covid-19. This, according to NAF, would enable a better coordinated and more effective response across the country.

Zhou Pingjian

Wuhan, the hardest hit Chinese city by the COVID-19 outbreak, will lift outbound travel restrictions from April 8. Other areas in Hubei Province have already lifted outbound transportation restrictions since March 25.

As the epicenter of the outbreak, Wuhan, with over 50000 confirmed cases and 2500 deaths, accounts for nearly 61% and 77% of the total confirmed cases and deaths, respectively, in the Chinese mainland. One month ago, several thousand of new infections reported everyday in Wuhan.With over three months’ struggle and sacrifices, Wuhan recently reports no newly confirmed cases for days.

This marks a notable turning point in the city’s months-long battle with the virus and sending a message of hope to a world grappling with the pandemic. As the Director-General of World Health Organization (WHO) Dr. Tedros pointed out, “Wuhan provides hope for the rest of the world that even the most severe situation can be turned around.”

All across China, the situation in beating the COVID-19 pandemic is moving steadily in a positive direction. Life and work are quickly returning to normal.

How China did it? You may wonder. C.H.I.N.A did it, I should say.

C: Curbing the transmission.

Wuhan, the capital city of Hubei Province with a population of over 11 million, is the major transportation hub and the most populous city in Central China. On January 23, the government decided to block off Wuhan’s transport system — or what we refer to as launching the lockdown of the city. Till the upcoming lift on April 8, the people in Wuhan will have been staying at home for 76 days.

At the beginning, some people might become disgruntled about the decisions made to quarantine infectious groups, suspend public transport operations in Wuhan and block off all contacts between the epicenter and the rest of the country. But the continuous trend for better situation in China have proved that the lockdown of Wuhan is a least costly and most effective approach to quarantine the infections and cut off every possible method and channel, containing the pandemic at its source and from spreading further.

H: highest priority.

On January 25, the first day of Chinese Lunar New Year, while we were celebrating together the Abuja Temple Fair inside the China Culture Center, President Xi Jinping chaired a meeting of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee. He heard reports on the prevention and control of the outbreak and decided in the meeting to set up a CPC Central Committee leading group to oversee the work, and also send groups to Hubei province and other hard-hit regions to direct the work on the ground. Holding a meeting on the Spring Festival, the first day of the Chinese Lunar New Year, which has traditionally been a happy time for family reunions and other gatherings, is for the first time ever in New China’s history.

Since the outbreak, the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee has convened eight meetings within three months to guide and ensure the effective deployment of pandemic prevention and control. The State Council made arrangements for the prevention and control of the outbreak with measures typically used for category-A infectious diseases even though the outbreak has been classified as a category-B infectious disease. All 31 provincial-level regions in China’s mainland launched a first-level emergency response – the highest level for a public health emergency. All levels of finance departments have allocated over 116.9 billion yuan (US$16.6 billion) for virus prevention and control efforts nationwide. On February 3 and 8, the 1000-bed Huoshenshan Hospital and 1500-bed Leishenshan Hospital were put into use respectively. Both of the makeshift hospitals were built in less than 10 days. With the rapid completion of another 16 temporary hospitals, the number of hospital beds in Wuhan rose from 5,000 to 23,000 in a few days.

Read Also: Nigeria likely to record more cases of Coronavirus – NCDC

I: International cooperation.

China is by no means alone in its fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. For instance, the WHO deployed a high-level mission including 25 international experts to China to conduct field research on the prevention and control of COVID-19 from February 16 to 24. “The Director-General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) Dr. Ihekweazu was one of ten global health leaders invited by the WHO to visit China and understudy their response approach. Since his return, the NCDC has been implementing numerous strategies and programs in Nigeria to ensure that the adverse impact of this virus on our country is minimized,” Said President Muhammad Buhari in his public speech on March 29.

By sharing the genome sequencing of the virus at the earliest opportunity as well as the control and treatment experience without reservation, China has won admiration and support from the international community. Leaders of over 170 countries and heads of more than 50 international and regional organizations have sent messages of support and 79 countries and 10 international organizations have provided medical supplies to China.

President Buhari made a statement of solidarity on February 2, “China’s efforts to contain the spread of the coronavirus have been exemplary, as well as the country’s collaboration with international agencies and other countries on the matter.” Indeed, China received strong political support and assistance in various means from the Government and good people of Nigeria at the most difficult moment in our fight against the COVID-19 outbreak. Such expressions of friendship boost our confidence in no small measure and will always be remembered and cherished by the Chinese people.

N: Nationwide efforts.

Ms Li Hui, a nurse born after 1995, joined the battle in Wuhan without her parents’ knowledge and said she would donate her body to research should the worst happen. Ms Zhao Peiyu, head of the nursing group of the medical team sent by the China-Japan Friendship Hospital in support of Hubei province, said that more than 930 nurses had signed up to go to Wuhan. Their reasons are simple and pure, some said they had experience in treating SARS, some said they are a member of the CPC, some said they do not have too much family burden. These are just epitomes of all 43,000 medical workers from 340 medical teams who had been dispatched from all across China to Hubei province, Wuhan in particular, since the outbreak.

By fighting the pandemic with concerted efforts, Hubei and Wuhan, the hardest-hit areas in China, received full-scale support nationwide timely. The National Health Commission and the Wuhan health authorities hold daily briefings to keep the public updated. 4,000 military medics were quickly dispatched to Wuhan. Nineteen provinces paired up with the cities in Hubei to provide one-on-one support. The communities in the whole country played an important role to identify the people, record their information for community management, and closely observe their health condition.

A: All-society mobilization.

In an interview shortly after his return to Abuja, Dr. Ihekweazu shared his observations, “There are several valuable lessons from China’s response to this outbreak. An important aspect is the whole of society approach, where both government and individuals are playing critical roles. Everyone sees the control of the outbreak as a personal responsibility and this is an important lesson for us in Nigeria.”

Indeed. Take Olatoye Babatunde, a 24-year-old Nigerian student in Nanjing. He has become an internet celebrity recently. Many Chinese people gave likes online to the photoes of his volunteer assistance to medical workers as they treat patients of COVID-19. At China University of Geosciences (Wuhan), 13 international students including one Nigerian formed a volunteer team to serve international students. “We are foreigners, but we are not strangers, “ they said. As foreigners in China, all of them have done a good part in the battle against the outbreak.

To say nothing of the Chinese people themselves. With the perseverance and devotion and in response to the government’s call, they stayed indoors, all wore masks, kept social distance and sacrificed their normal lives in order to contain the spread of the virus. The people in Wuhan, in particular, have borne the biggest burden and paid the biggest price. The outbreak of the pandemic in China has been effectively controlled in less than three months, behind which are the efforts of everyone in the whole society.

Major infectious disease is the enemy of all. For now, the COVID-19 outbreak is spreading worldwide, posing enormous threat to life and health and bringing formidable challenge to global public health security. It is imperative for the international community to strengthen confidence, act with unity and work together in a collective response.

We have full confidence in Nigeria’s determination and capacity to defeat the pandemic ultimately. China firmly supports Nigeria’s fight against the virus and stands ready to assist, if needed, to the best of its capacity. Despite the daunting task of epidemic control remaining at home, China will try its best to provide medical supplies to Nigeria and do whatever it could to support Nigeria. We have set up the online COVID-19 knowledge center (https://covid19.21wecan.com/) that is open to all. We will continue to share information and experience with Nigeria, and strengthen cooperation on containment, treatment and vaccines in response to the COVID-19 challenge, with a view to building together a community of shared health for mankind.

 

• Dr. Pingjian is Ambassador of China to Nigeria