COVID-19 Experience: Taking the Right Steps at the Right Time to Prevent Avoidable Morbidity and Mortality in Nigeria and Other Nations of the World.

Obinna O Oleribe,Temitope A Ishola,Princess Osita-Oleribe,Babatunde L Salako,Simon D Taylor-Robinson,Michael Fertleman

doi:10.2147/ijgm.s261256

Abstract

The 2020 Coronavirus pandemic has caused countless governmental and societal challenges around the world. Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation, has been exposed in recent years to a series of epidemics including Ebola and Lassa fever. In this paper, we document our perception of the national response to COVID-19 in Nigeria. The response to the pandemic is with a healthcare system that has changed as a result of previous infectious disease outbreaks but in the context of scarce resources typical of many low-middle income countries. We make recommendations regarding what measures should be in place for future epidemics.

Highlights

On 11 March 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared a pandemic caused by Coronavirus disease (COVID-19), an infectious disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2).[1]
The Nigerian government responded to the COVID-19 pandemic by various measures affecting the population and the creation of necessary national teams to provide structure and leadership
These teams interfaced with the country to discuss the plan for treatment and control of the pandemic in Nigeria

Summary

Introduction

On 11 March 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared a pandemic caused by Coronavirus disease (COVID-19), an infectious disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2).[1]. The National Emergency Outbreak Committee (EOC) was established and developed the Incident Action Plan (IAP) on March 27, 2020 with eight pillars – Epidemiology and Surveillance, Laboratory, Point of Entry (POE), Infection Prevention and Control, Case Management, Risk Communication, Logistics, and Coordination. Within 2 months, NCDC developed several guidelines and protocols, including NCDC Self-Isolation Guideline for COVID-19, Case Definition for Coronavirus, PPE Recommendations During Health Care Delivery, National COVID-19 Case Management Guide NCDC, Guide for Businesses for COVID-19, Social Distancing Guide for COVID-19, Infection Prevention and Control Guideline for COVID-19, Rational Use of Personal Protective Equipment in the Care of COVID-19 Cases, Management of Dead Bodies, Advisory on Use of Face Masks, and COVID-19 Testing Strategy.[11] Meetings were held daily by the EOC and meetings were held in individual states to curtail the outbreak.

Results

Conclusion