Ministry of Health

House of Reps queries health minister on whereabouts of Chinese doctors

Lawmakers at the House of Representatives have questioned the Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire, demanding activities and whereabouts of the Chinese doctors. The lawmakers at their plenary on Tuesday said they are not satisfied with the statement of the Minister that the Chinese doctors are not guests of the Federal Ministry of Health but that of a Chinese firm in Abuja. The resolution of the House stems from a motion of urgent public importance raised by Representative Dachung Bagos. The House, in a separate motion, also resolved to investigate the status of medical and pharmaceutical research in the fight against COVID-19 in Nigeria. They expressed worry that Nigerian scientists and researchers have not been given the necessary support and funding for medical research. The Minister o...

Morocco confirms 129 new coronavirus cases, total now 6,870

The Moroccan Ministry of Health on Sunday confirmed 129 new cases of COVID-19, bringing the total number of cases to 6,870 in the country. Meanwhile, 192 people have died from the novel coronavirus so far, while 3,660 have recovered after 173 recoveries were added during the last 24 hours, Mohamed El Youbi, Director of Epidemiology at the ministry, said at his daily briefing. On April 18, Morocco extended the state of medical emergency until May 20 in an effort to strengthen preventive measures to combat the spread of the novel coronavirus. Get more stories like this on Twitter

53 more Nigerian returnees from Ghana, Benin Republic arrive Seme border

Another batch of 53 Nigerian returnees from Ghana and Benin Republic arrived Seme Border Post in Lagos State on Saturday. Newsmen gathered that 39 out of the 53 returnees who came from Ghana were brought in two luxurious buses with registration numbers, Lagos KTU 833XY and LSD 614 YR. Newsmen also gathered that the remaining 14 Nigerian returnees from Benin Republic were dropped by different vehicles at the border by Beninoise officials. An official of Port Health Services (PHS) in Seme, who pleaded anonymity, told newsmen that the Nigerian returnees, comprising 39 males and 14 females, had been screened by health officials. “They arrived at 3:30 a.m. today from Ghana and Republic of Benin. “While those from Ghana came in two luxurious buses, the returnees from Benin Republic were dropped ...

Bayelsa discharges two coronavirus patients

The Bayelsa State government has announced that two patients that earlier tested positive for coronavirus in the state have been discharged. Newsmen report that the two patients who had contact with the index case were discharged from the isolation centre at the Niger Delta University Teaching Hospital (NDUTH) in Okolobiri. A statement signed by the deputy chairman of the state’s COVID-19 taskforce and permanent secretary, Ministry of Health, Dr Inodu Apoku, said “the repeat tests of the remaining cases linked to the index case returned negative. “These patients have also met all other NCDC guidelines for discharge. Consequently, they have been discharged today (Saturday). “So there is only one active COVID-19 case in the state after we discharged the index case and the other four linked c...

Nigerian government warns against recycling of face masks

The Federal Government has warned Nigerians against the continued resort to recycling and sharing of face masks in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, saying such actions would only fuel more infections. The government equally tasked state governments on the need to align their policies with those at the federal level, reminding them that the virus does not respect boundaries or status. It also added that the recent rapid diagnostic test kits procured by the Kogi State Government have a high margin of error and are therefore unreliable. These were disclosed on Tuesday in Abuja during the daily briefing of the Presidential Taskforce PTF on Covid-19. Chairman of the PTF and Secretary to the Government of the Federation SGF, Mr. Boss Mustapha, said except for fabric masks, every disposable mas...

Kano cases of coronavirus now 602

Kano State Ministry of Health has confirmed 26 new cases of coronavirus (COVID-19) in the state. The ministry said in its verified Twitter handle @KNSMOH, that the total confirmed cases of coronavirus recorded in the state stand at 602. It explained that there were 526 active cases, 50 discharged and 26 deaths. “Update as at 11:47 p.m. May 10, 2020; 26 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed. “Total confirmed cases in Kano State are now 602, 18 additional patients discharged and five deaths recorded,” it said. The ministry also enjoined people to observe safety protocols, use of face mask, social distancing and practice regular hand washing. Get more stories like this on Twitter

Kano evacuates 1, 213 almajiris to their home state

Kano State Government on Sunday said no fewer than 1, 213 Almajiris have been evacuated to their state of origin. Alhaji Murtala Sule Garo, Chairman, Kano State Almajiri Evacuation Committee told newsmen in Kano that “due process and proper screening are the hallmark of the ongoing evacuation exercise.” Garo who is also the Commissioner for Local government revealed that the Committee worked with the state Ministry of Health to ensure that Almajiris taken out of Kano to their respective states of origin are in good health. He said Kano has so far, received over 200 Almajiris returnees from Kaduna, Plateau and Niger states respectively. Garo stressed ‘as I speak to you, they are being quarantined in Kiru Reformatory Institute, where they are being provided with free feeding and medication b...

Rivers inaugurates three coronavirus testing machines at state university teaching hospital

In its determination to stem the spread of the coronavirus pandemic in the state, the Rivers State Government Friday evening inaugurated three PCR machines at its Covid-19 testing centre at the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital, Port Harcourt. The Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the Teaching Hospital, Dr. Friday Aaron, said Shell Petroleum Development Company donated two of the PCR machines to the state government while the third came from Total E and P. He said: “This evening we are here to celebrate, because it has been our goal to get a testing centre in Rivers State. Today, I am happy to announce that we can now do Covid-19 tests at the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital courtesy of the Rivers State Government ably led by our own Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike. “We also tha...

PTF: NAFDAC screening local cures for coronavirus

The Federal Government said yesterday it has evaluated claims by local researchers that they have manufactured curative drugs for COVID-19. It explained that having met preliminary requirements, the drugs had been forwarded to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, for listing. National Coordinator of the Presidential Task Force for COVID-19, Dr. Sani Aliyu, had restated the federal government’s position on Wednesday that no cure had been found for the disease. The government also expressed worries over the continued repatriation of Almajiriai by states, saying the development could fuel a spike in infections. On compliance with general safety protocols put in place against the virus, the federal government asked security agencies not to cut corners, addi...