By David Lawani
The Executive Director, National Primary Health Care Development Agency, NPHCDA, Dr Faisal Shuaib has said the only way to prevent the spread of the Omicron variant of COVID-19 is to strengthen collective nonpharmaceutical measures to reduce its spread, noting it is the surest way to secure the fight against the scourge posed by the dreaded pandemic.
In a remark to mark the 4th quarterly meeting of the Northern Traditional Leaders Committee Meeting on Primary Health Care Delivery held in Abuja noted that the Federal Government had deployed necessary logistics to fight the menace stressing that all that is required is for everyone to comply with the directive to observed COVID-19 measures which includes wearing of a mask, constant washing of hands and use of hand sanitisers.
He said He said is always an honour and privilege to address this gathering of our esteemed Royal Highnesses, the custodians of our great culture, traditions, and the gatekeepers of our communities adding he always look forward to these quarterly review meetings as it gives him the confidence knowing that the programmes align with the people.
He said: ” As we are all aware, the OMICRON variant of COVID-19 virus has already been detected in Nigeria. Although studies are still being conducted to determine the nature of this variant, what its presence means to us Nigerians, is that we must strengthen our COVID -19 response and continuously observe all nonpharmaceutical measures to prevent further spread.
” I want to assure Nigerians that the Federal Government has deployed the necessary logistics to halt and control this variant. We do not need to start afresh war against OMICRON. It is just a variant of the COVID virus that can be handled if we all comply and take all recommended doses of the vaccines while continuing to observe protective measures such as wearing of face mask, regular washing of our hands and social distancing to protect ourselves.
” Your Highnesses, about the COVID-19 Vaccination, we have so far vaccinated over 8 million eligible Nigerians against COVID-19. Although this figure is still far from our target of vaccinating 112 million eligible persons for Nigeria to attain herd immunity, we have seen a significant improvement in our figures since the implementation of the mass vaccination campaign.
” To further increase coverage and strengthen immunity against COVID-19, the Presidential Steering Committee on COVID-19 response, in collaboration with Federal Ministry of Health and NPHCDA has approved the administration of booster dose for persons that have completed 2 doses of AstraZeneca, Moderna, Pfizer Bio-N-Tech or 1 dose of Johnson & Johnson vaccines. As earlier mentioned, the booster dose is meant to strengthen the immune response to COVID-19 infection. People who take booster doses have greater protection against COVID-19.
” To be eligible for the Pfizer Bio-N-Tech booster dose, you must be 18 years or above, and you must have received your second dose of AstraZeneca or Pfizer Bio-N-Tech at least 6 months ago. A time interval of 2 months or more is required for those who received Johnson & Johnson to qualify for a booster dose. For those who received the Moderna vaccine, a booster dose of Moderna is given 6months after the completion of their second dose. The administration of booster dose commenced throughout the country on 10th December 2021 and can be taken in any vaccination site free of charge. While we call on all eligible Nigerians to take advantage of this opportunity to get their booster doses, it is important to mention that booster dose has the approval of WHO and is already being safely administered to eligible persons in Europe and America”, he stated.
He said he appreciated efforts and sacrifices in controlling the community transmission of COVID-19 in Nigeria, especially with the demonstration of leadership in the ongoing rollout of the COVID-19 vaccination campaign.
” May I humbly request that your highnesses mobilise families and communities who are fully vaccinated to receive the booster dose which is free of charge.
” I also wish to inform your highnesses that our Joint Task Force on vaccine monitoring and accountability is steadfast and are on the alert to catch fraudsters whom we understand are still making efforts to discredit our vaccination program”, he said.
Responding on behalf of NTLC, the Emir of Argungu, who is also the chairman of the body said they commended the Management Staff of NPHCDA to this final review meeting of activities of Traditional and Religious Leaders of Northern Nigeria represented by the NTLC.
” As this year rolls to an end and a new year kicks to begin, I want to call on all of us to rededicate ourselves to work selflessly and with all the influence we can muster to ensure the interruption of the spread of Circulating Vaccine Derived Polio Virus and mitigate against rumour, mistrust and rejection of the Covid Vaccine in the coming year.
Nigeria wins open government position at a global summit
” I again commend the ED for establishing the South West Traditional Leaders Committee on PHC. Finally, I want to seize this opportunity to call on the Federal Government and our Legislators to continue to ensure adequate and timely funding of the operations of NPHCDA. You will all agree with me there is evidence of donor fatigue on all issues of Public Health globally partly because of competing demands and a drop in the world economy due to the devastating impact of Covid. A situation where we have to shift campaigns twice or three times in a quarter because vaccines or indelible markers are not available says a lot about our planning and what the future holds if donor support dries up
” I want to commend and thank the Executive Director of NPHCDA and his Management Team for their dedication to duty and for responding patiently and efficiently always to our suggestions and reports and for believing the Traditional and Religious Leaders are key to solving our nation’s Public Health problems. Please be assured of our readiness to support you always”, he noted.
He also thanked development partners, UNICEF, WHO and Gates Foundation for their dedication in the fight against threats to health care services in the nation.
” Our Development partners UNICEF, WHO and Gates Foundation we cherish you and sincerely thank you for your support and trust. I assure you NTLC will continue to be a dependable ally for as long as you are prepared to work with us.
” I want again to thank His Eminence for his Leadership, the ED and NPHCDA Management for their dedication, esteemed members of NTLC and our Partners for their support, sacrifice and hard work. Equally important, I want to thank all the foot soldiers of public health out there in the field and urge them to please protect the name of this country and uphold the trust and oath of their professions by ensuring that vaccines and vaccination certificates are honestly and credibly administered and issued as enshrined in the programmes they execute”, he reiterated.
