Vice President Yemi Osinbajo makes surprising remarks about COVID-19 in Nigeria.
He noted that the country had been making progress in the public health sector since its first COVID-19 case in February 2020.
Osinbajo spoke on Friday at the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) Reference Laboratory, Gaduwa, Abuja, where he said Nigeria had expanded its public health response capabilities.
The VP underwent a facility tour, accompanied by the Minister of Health, Osagie Ehanire; Minister of State for Health, Adeleke Olorunnimbe Mamora; and Director-General, Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Chikwe Ihekweazu.
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The Vice President admitted that the country is dealing with a critical situation with the increasing number of cases being recorded, especially with the second wave.
He disclosed that nearly 120 laboratories had been activated nationwide, 70 of them public labs.
Osinbajo said this has significantly ramped up testing and case management capacity.
“Not so long ago, test samples had to be flown out of the country for examination. This is no longer the case, as we now have the capacity to process samples internally.” Osinbajo said.
“This very facility is a testament to the strides that we have made during a short period. While we are not yet where we want to be as a nation, we are most certainly not where we were at the onset of the pandemic.”
He thanked all health workers for their efforts since the outbreak of coronavirus.
Osinbajo paid tribute to the late NCDC staff, Uche Njoku, who died in service.