The federal government has warned Nigerians against the purchase and consumption of Hydrxoychloroquine as treatment for COVID-19 as the drug has not been certified for use in treating COVID-19 in Nigeria by the relevant health and pharmaceutical authorities.
Hydrxoychloroquine is the drug that has been promoted for so long as the cure all for COVID-19 by U.S. President, Donald Trump. He also said that he has been taking it as a preventive drug for the disease.
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation and chairman of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19, Mr. Boss Mustapha, said on Thursday that “through the surveillance system set up by the PTF, we have received reports that Nigerians have been purchasing Hydrxoychloroquine in large quantities. We wish to reiterate that this drug has not been certified for use in treating COVID-19 in Nigeria by the relevant health and pharmaceutical authorities.
“Self-medication of any kind, is fraught with the danger of increasing risks of avoidable casualties. We, therefore strongly warn against self-medication. If you are sick, please seek medical advice and if you are confirmed positive, kindly self-isolate in an approved facility. The COVID-19 is highly infectious and dangerous.”
The PTF stated that to underscore the seriousness attached to this COVID-19 pandemic, the House of Representatives has set up an Ad-Hoc COVID-19 Committee to deepen the existing collaborative spirit of working together with the legislature to be more productive and add value to the overall delivery of service to Nigerians.
Saying that he participated in the virtual meeting of the National Economic Council with Vice President and all the State Governors, Mr Mustapha said that the issue of alignment of their State level actions with the guidelines issued was emphasized.
He added that the States were advised to “diligently implement and enforce compliance with all COVID-19 regulations and to “provide personal and strong leadership, carry the policy of community ownership to the grassroots and create deeper awareness.’
The Governors were also advised on the decision taken by some of their colleagues to permit large gatherings as such decisions could inadvertently endanger the elderly, the sick and those with underlying factors during such gatherings.
The strong advisory from the PTF is that large gatherings beyond 20 persons remains prohibited and should be adhered to.
On the categories of persons and services exempted from some aspects of the COVID-19 guidelines particularly as it relates to restrictions on inter-State movement and curfew, Mustapha stated that “for the avoidance of doubt, essential workers including our indefatigable medical personnel, diligent journalists, courageous fire service personnel, telecommunications workers, are all exempted.”
He added that “the Inspector General of Police has further clarified the categories of essential workers in alignment with the guidelines and has issued instructions to security agents to work on the approved exemptions. With this clarification, we sincerely hope that the persistent complaints of harassment by these categories of essential workers, especially medical personnel and journalists would be put to rest so that we can harmoniously work in battling this pandemic.
‘’The PTF COVID-19 urges all essential workers to go about their legitimate businesses carrying with them valid means of identification and to exercise courtesy in approaching security personnel. For us in Nigeria, the importance of this message is very clear. We need to eschew skepticism about the existence of this virus and its potency, change our behavior and commit to joining hands in tackling this pandemic.”
Wishing “all our Muslim brothers and sisters a very happy and safe Eid celebrations,” the SGF stated that “as we celebrate, we want to once again caution on the need to wear a mask, keep physical distances, avoid large congregations, avoid unnecessary inter-State travels and observe personal hygiene amongst other suggested safety measures.”