Amid fear of community transmission, the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 on Tuesday stormed Kano State, in line with President Muhammadu Buhari’s marching order to contain the pandemic in the state.
The presidential delegation, led by Dr Nasiru Sani Gwarzo, were received by Governor Abdullahi Ganduje at the Government House, Kano, according to a statement on Tuesday by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Abba Anwar, said
Addressing the state government officials, Mr Gwarzo, said that, “President Muhammadu Buhari gave us Marching Order to be in Kano and find out what the state needs for containing the COVID-19 pandemic”.
“President said we must do everything possible to support, reinforce and mobilize support even beyond the nation.
“Your Excellency on the Special Committee sent to Kano to work with the state government are experts in public health and other areas,” he added.
Mr Gwarzo assured that they were not in Kano to re-invent the wheel, “…but we are reinforcing the wheel.
“We are here to support Kano team in achieving the needs that are necessary for containing the global pandemic.”
Reacting, Governor Ganduje thanked President Buhari for coming to the aid of the state “…at this critical time.
“He takes the right step and there is no doubt about this. Your coming to Kano will let you know the areas that we need all the necessary intervention.”
He reiterated his call for more Testing Centres in the state, saying that, “Testing Centre is the nucleus of the fight against COVID-19.
“It is just like a heart in our body. We have to give you full cooperation. This is what we have been looking for.”
“We need more Testing Centres in the state. And the extension of Isolation Centres is absolutely necessary. Because there is this fear of community transmission.
“And we need more sample collection areas. In all the 44 local governments we must have multiple collection centres,” he said.
Mr Ganduje requested for the provision of more Personal Protection Equipment, PPEs, adding that life insurance is absolutely necessary.
“We are also providing Palliative to our health workers, they also have families, who must also be supported,” the governor explained.
“We also need optimum supply of all supplies to the state. We will work together day and night. After going round with you, we will come and see where we have gaps.”
DAILY NIGERIAN reports that the delegation comprises Prof. Abdussalam Nasidi, the pioneer Director General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, NCDC, who is a Professor of infectious diseases.
Mr Nasidi is in his capacity as the Special Adviser to the Health Minister on COVID-19 to Kano.
Another renowned figure on the list is Dr Bimpe Adebiyi, the head Department of Health Services at the Federal Ministry of Health.
