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Chikwe Ihekweazu

@Chikwe_I

Jan 11, 2021

We have now reported over 100,000 confirmed #COVID19 cases in Nigeria

This is a stark reminder of the reality we live in now - a virus that has affected over 100,000 lives and led to over 1,300 deaths within 11 months in Nigeria...with millions more globally

{Thread}

In the last 4 weeks, we‘ve recorded a spike in the number of new #COVID19 cases

The virus is spreading fast, causing mild symptoms in some & severe illness/death in others. Many people
continue to experience fatigue & other symptoms even after recovery

We can not be too careful

The silent face of #COVID19

You can’t tell whether someone has the virus or not (so take protective measures at all times)

Health care workers need to now maintain a HIGHER index of suspicion for #COVID19

To the public, if unwell rule out COVID-19 before treating for malaria

Read 9 tweets

Chikwe Ihekweazu

@Chikwe_I

Mar 1, 2020

@NCDCgov

The last 4 days have been busier than normal for us at @NCDCgov

We‘ve been responding to our 1st #COVID19 case, & associated panic. One thing we’re grateful for, is that the structures we built in the last 4 years have enabled our response in last 4 days

#NCDCSundayReflections

Within 12 hours of the case presenting at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, we carried out laboratory tests, confirmed #COVID19 and issued a press release. Within 24 hours, we updated our advisory for the general public and other response activities

The 4 labs with the capacity to test for #COVID19 in #Nigeria are the NCDC Reference Lab & 3 other labs within our network of molecular labs

When #COVID19 started in China, we were able to set up testing in Nigeria in weeks, because we already had labs with required equipment

Read 8 tweets

Chikwe Ihekweazu

@Chikwe_I

Feb 23, 2020

@OoasWaho

There has been a lot of concern globally, about the capacity of African countries to respond in the event of #COVID19 outbreak

One clear difference between the 2014 Ebola outbreak and now, is the rise of regional health institutes- @OoasWaho & @AfricaCDC

#NCDCSundayReflections

@WHOAFRO

Since the beginning of the #COVID19 outbreak in China, our coordination in Africa has been anchored by structures developed by @WHOAFRO, @AfricaCDC & @OoasWaho

These institutions have created a platform for collaboration, data sharing, training & capacity building

@AfricaCDC

Through @AfricaCDC, colleagues from Member States have been trained in various areas in the last one month:

*Laboratory diagnosis
*Infection prevention and control
*Point of entry surveillance
*Risk communications

The use of regional resources for these training is exemplary!

Read 7 tweets

Chikwe Ihekweazu

@Chikwe_I

Feb 16, 2020

@WHO

Last week, I was honoured to be part of the global research and innovation forum on #COVID19 convened by @WHO. The discussions we had and decisions made will be key in defining outbreak response activities now and in the long term

#NCDCSundayReflections

We held important, sometimes difficult but critical discussions to develop a plan that will enable the global community access to interventions for us to quickly control the #COVID19 emergency

A research roadmap has been developed and can be accessed via who.int/blueprint/prio…

@WHO

I applaud @WHO’s role in bringing various stakeholders together to agree on science, especially in a field where there is a race for recognition & resources

The forum had representation at leadership level of @AfricaCDC @wellcometrust @CEPIvaccines @LSMOH, other stakeholders

Read 4 tweets

Chikwe Ihekweazu

@Chikwe_I

Feb 9, 2020

@DrTomFrieden

We can mitigate the impact of outbreaks by adequately funding national public health institutes at all times

Like @DrTomFrieden says, we must move from being reactive to stable, substantial & sustainable funding for outbreak preparedness #NCDCSundayReflections

The 2017 Joint External Evaluation & the midterm assessment in 2019 in Nigeria, helped us assess our capacity to detect, prevent & respond to outbreaks

Importantly, it helped us identify critical gaps that exist. To close these gaps,we need increased funding for health security

Tackling emerging infectious diseases such as the novel #coronavirus, requires substantial investment in national public health institutes

During large outbreaks, the focus should be on activating these systems to respond and not on developing new systems

Invest in peace time

Read 4 tweets

Chikwe Ihekweazu

@Chikwe_I

Feb 2, 2020

@DrTedros

In these critical times, the rapid spread of false information can be alarming and harmful.

“The decisions we make need to be guided by facts, not fear or panic” @DrTedros
#NCDCSundayReflections

In strengthening our surveillance & preparedness for the novel #coronavirus, we’ve put in place significant measures

We‘ve agreed an initial national case definition to identify suspect cases

We‘ll review these criteria as additional information on #nCoV2019 becomes available

@NCDCgov

On the 1st of February, we validated our capacity to test for the novel #coronavirus at the @NCDCgov National Reference Laboratory(NRL)

This means that we are now able to test samples from patients that meet the national case definition of the novel #coronavirus here in #Nigeria

Read 7 tweets

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