From Bello Wakili (Abuja)
Federal Government says it is exploiting the challenges posed by Covid-19 to expand the country’s health infrastructure.
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation and Chairman, Presidential Taskforce on Covid-19, Mr. Boss Mustapha, stated this in Abuja at the commissioning of State House Covid-19 Isolation Centre.
He said from just two molecular laboratories for the testing of Covid-19, Nigeria could now boast of over a 100 molecular laboratories, built by public and private enterprises across the country.
Mr. Mustapha said this year’s budget had made provision for the establishment of at least one oxygen production plant and 10-bed Intensive Care Unit in every state.
He gave the assurance that the Covid-19 vaccines to be procured for Nigeria would be safe and efficacious, and urged Nigerians to get vaccinated when requested to do so.
The chairman of PTF warned that refusal to take the vaccination would deprive people from travelling abroad, saying that even those wanting to perform spiritual obligations outside would be affected.
Contributing, the Chief of Staff to the President, Professor Ibrahim Gambari, appealed to Nigerians to comply with Covid-19 non-pharmaceutical interventions of face-masks wearing, hand-washing, social distancing, avoidance of large congregations and non-essential travels.