NCDC, others partner on authentic data as NCC stresses emergency helpline

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) is to partner two independent fact-checking organisations operating in Nigeria–Dubawa and Africa Check–to provide accurate information while detecting and dispelling misinformation on the epidemic.

Since the declaration of the virus as a global health emergency by the World Health Organisation (WHO), both organisations have deployed their media platforms to verify images, videos, audio clips and texts circulated widely on WhatsApp, Facebook and Twitter, among others.

In a statement yesterday in Abuja, NCDC’s Director General, Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu, pointed out that misinformation and disinformation had the potential to stir panic, spread the ailment further and jeopardise global efforts to contain it.

Also, the National Emergency Number 112 established by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) is said to be providing succour to Nigerians as the nation battles to COVID-19 challenge.

According to the regulator, the citizens are able to call emergency response agencies/or first responders with respect to the epidemic and other health-related issues and emergencies.

In a statement yesterday, the NCC said the states and Federal Government agencies were leveraging the 112 national emergency lines whose calls are handled by the Emergency Communication Centre (ECC) nationwide.