vCOVID — 19: Addressing imminent smouldering transmissions.

The decision of the federal government to start sourcing for a local solution to the pandemic through the evaluation of claims by local researchers to have manufactured curative drugs for the COVID-19 is indeed a right step in the direction towards bringing an end to the pandemic. Also, the directive by the President, Mohammadu Buhari, for the import duty waiver for medical equipment and supplies in an effort to strengthen the health structure in the fight against the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic considering the high rate at which the virus is spreading within the country is commendable. It could be recalled that few weeks ago a call was made by Salami O Matthew, a Medical laboratory scientist and a lecturer with the Federal School of Medical Laboratory Science Jos, in a publication for the government to work with local scientists in the research and production of a local cure to the present health crisis. In that particular publication titled African Biotech…, Salami stated that there is a slow rate of the disease spread in Africa as compared to the rate of the disease spread in other parts of the world and the “strain of the coronavirus in Nigeria in a way may be different in its genetic makeup considering the low mortality rate of the pandemic in African countries when compared to other countries…” This reality however could be likened to a coin having two sides whereby a slow spread could mean a prolonged outbreak of the virus in the continent.

The World Health Organization (WHO), regional director for Africa, Dr Matshidiso Moeti, in a report said, “While COVID-19 likely won’t spread exponentially in Africa as it has elsewhere in the world, it likely will smolder in transmission hotspots.” The Director added that “covid-19 could become a fixture in our lives for the next several years unless a proactive approach is taken by many governments in the region…” This draws attention to the need for the federal government in Nigeria and in other African countries to be preemptive in their approach in tackling this pandemic. Therefore, rather than awaiting other nations or international bodies to come up with a solution, it is time for the governments to work extensively with local scientists in finding a fast and lasting solution to the pandemic, because a poor management of the outbreak will in turn lead to the strain on the feeble medical capacity of the country.

In recent reports we have seen a disturbing surge in the rise of reported cases with a large number of health workers being infected by the virus. WHO stated in a report that “the predicted number of cases that would require hospitalization would overwhelm the available medical capacity of Africa” The global health body added that “there would be an estimated 3.6 million — 5.5 million COVID-19 hospitalizations…Such a huge number of patients in hospitals would severely strain the health capacities of countries…”

Salami as a matter of urgency calls on the government to source for local remedies to COVID-19 having the evidence through research that Nigeria has all it takes to fight COVID-19 to a standstill. He says research has shown that neem leaf, paw paw leaf, lime orange, small garlic and ginger when cooked for 30 mins is effective in the treatment of COVID-19, also the consumption of certain fruits such as the African stResearch commonly called Agbalumo or cherry, guava and cashew helps in boosting the immune system. This is as a result of the” high radical scavenging ability and antioxidant properties of these fruits.” Therefore more research needs to be done on these findings to know the actual dosage for an effective treatment of the Coronavirus.” He added by saying that Madagascar’s formula reveals that the neem leaf that is locally called Dogonyaro is known to clear the airwaves,(especially the lungs) when inhaled while it is boiled. Salami assured the government of the readiness of the Department of Research and Diagnostics at the Federal School of Medical Laboratory Science, Jos in complimenting the efforts of the government in the fight against the virus.

The endeavors of the media in the fight to bring an end to the pandemic cannot be overlooked, the dangers of the risk they take in sourcing for and updating the public on the pandemic needs to be complimented by the support from government. It is therefore pertinent for the federal and state government to support and engage the media houses in educating the masses that the washing of hands is not just the way out but the practice of washing hands after touching objects and surfaces or using a disinfectant gel. This is a very good time for the public to adopt a cashless means of transaction or if they must use cash in carrying out transactions then they should rub their hands with a disinfectant gel or wash their hands immediately after. High contact surfaces (Tables, switches, chair backs, handles etc.) should be cleaned and disinfected daily and members of the public should be reminded to avoid sharing towels, cutlery, glasses and clothes, sheets and towels should be washed frequently. He advises that rooms should be well ventilated.

It is important to note that a total disinfection is near impossible hence the objective is to reduce the risk.

The decision of the federal government to start sourcing for a local solution to the pandemic through the evaluation of claims by local researchers to have manufactured curative drugs for the COVID-19 is indeed a right step in the direction towards bringing an end to the pandemic. Also, the directive by the President, Mohammadu Buhari, for the import duty waiver for medical equipment and supplies in an effort to strengthen the health structure in the fight against the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic considering the high rate at which the virus is spreading within the country is commendable. It could be recalled that few weeks ago a call was made by Salami O Matthew, a Medical laboratory scientist and a lecturer with the Federal School of Medical Laboratory Science Jos, in a publication for the government to work with local scientists in the research and production of a local cure to the present health crisis. In that particular publication titled African Biotech…, Salami stated that there is a slow rate of the disease spread in Africa as compared to the rate of the disease spread in other parts of the world and the “strain of the coronavirus in Nigeria in a way may be different in its genetic makeup considering the low mortality rate of the pandemic in African countries when compared to other countries…” This reality however could be likened to a coin having two sides whereby a slow spread could mean a prolonged outbreak of the virus in the continent.

The World Health Organization (WHO), regional director for Africa, Dr Matshidiso Moeti, in a report said, “While COVID-19 likely won’t spread exponentially in Africa as it has elsewhere in the world, it likely will smolder in transmission hotspots.” The Director added that “covid-19 could become a fixture in our lives for the next several years unless a proactive approach is taken by many governments in the region…” This draws attention to the need for the federal government in Nigeria and in other African countries to be preemptive in their approach in tackling this pandemic. Therefore, rather than awaiting other nations or international bodies to come up with a solution, it is time for the governments to work extensively with local scientists in finding a fast and lasting solution to the pandemic, because a poor management of the outbreak will in turn lead to the strain on the feeble medical capacity of the country.

In recent reports we have seen a disturbing surge in the rise of reported cases with a large number of health workers being infected by the virus. WHO stated in a report that “the predicted number of cases that would require hospitalization would overwhelm the available medical capacity of Africa” The global health body added that “there would be an estimated 3.6 million — 5.5 million COVID-19 hospitalizations…Such a huge number of patients in hospitals would severely strain the health capacities of countries…”

Salami as a matter of urgency calls on the government to source for local remedies to COVID-19 having the evidence through research that Nigeria has all it takes to fight COVID-19 to a standstill. He says research has shown that neem leaf, paw paw leaf, lime orange, small garlic and ginger when cooked for 30 mins is effective in the treatment of COVID-19, also the consumption of certain fruits such as the African stResearch commonly called Agbalumo or cherry, guava and cashew helps in boosting the immune system. This is as a result of the” high radical scavenging ability and antioxidant properties of these fruits.” Therefore more research needs to be done on these findings to know the actual dosage for an effective treatment of the Coronavirus.” He added by saying that Madagascar’s formula reveals that the neem leaf that is locally called Dogonyaro is known to clear the airwaves,(especially the lungs) when inhaled while it is boiled. Salami assured the government of the readiness of the Department of Research and Diagnostics at the Federal School of Medical Laboratory Science, Jos in complimenting the efforts of the government in the fight against the virus.

The endeavors of the media in the fight to bring an end to the pandemic cannot be overlooked, the dangers of the risk they take in sourcing for and updating the public on the pandemic needs to be complimented by the support from government. It is therefore pertinent for the federal and state government to support and engage the media houses in educating the masses that the washing of hands is not just the way out but the practice of washing hands after touching objects and surfaces or using a disinfectant gel. This is a very good time for the public to adopt a cashless means of transaction or if they must use cash in carrying out transactions then they should rub their hands with a disinfectant gel or wash their hands immediately after. High contact surfaces (Tables, switches, chair backs, handles etc.) should be cleaned and disinfected daily and members of the public should be reminded to avoid sharing towels, cutlery, glasses and clothes, sheets and towels should be washed frequently. He advises that rooms should be well ventilated.

It is important to note that a total disinfection is near impossible hence the objective is to reduce the risk.