By Joyce Remi-Babayeju
ABUJA (Sundiata Post) – As the world continues the search for a potent vaccine for the COVID-19, chairman of Nigeria’s Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 (PTF on COVID-19), Boss Mustapha has said that the Federal Government has inaugurated a research body to find a local cure for the novel virus.
Mustapha disclosed this on Saturday in Abuja at the PTF national press briefing on COVID-19.
He said, “To demonstrate the commitment of government to research, on Monday July 22, 2020, I inaugurated the Body of Experts for Health Sector Research and Development Intervention Scheme (HSRDIS) established by the Central Bank of Nigeria, under the chairmanship of the Director General NAFDAC. The body is expected to address the challenges that limit research and development investment in the healthcare sector.”
According to him, as countries continue to wait for a vaccine, the Nigerian effort is aimed at finding a cure through home research via collaboration between government and the private sector.
He said, “The message of hope is that the world continues to close its ranks in the search for a vaccine in a manner designed to guarantee rapid, fair, and equitable access worldwide. Back home, there has been a lot of debate on finding a local cure.
“While this is a plausible expectation, the PTF, other relevant institutions of government and the private sector working with our partners shall pursue the path of research relentlessly. As we have often said, only a well-developed partnership will save humanity.”
Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire, said that the tweet of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, who is a member of the PTF exposed the daily dangers of Coronavirus which frontline workers face, adding that the piece of information in the public space is sufficient proof to Nigerians that the virus is real and does not discriminate.
He said, “Sequel to that development, the PTF and its secretariat immediately carried out a risk assessment and tested all members to determine their status, out of an abundance of caution.”
According to him as a precautionary measure, the PTF has arranged that all journalists covering its activities should be tested by the NCDC, adding that testing of members for COVID-19 has been a regular exercise for the PTF and that policy would be sustained.
The minister further advised Nigerians on the upcoming Eid-el Kabir festival which naturally comes with lots of mass gatherings not forget that the guidelines are still in existence and the virus is very potent.
“We urge all state governments to ensure that guidelines are adhered to and citizens should not indulge in activities that would allow for the spread of the virus and lives are endangered.
“We are encouraged by state governments that have announced ban on Sallah festivities and hope it will be upheld and replicated by other States. The National Coordinator will also amplify on these issues”, the minister said.
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