Northern govs seek coordinated response to COVID-19, Gombe to establish testing lab

Governors of the 19 northern states under the auspices of the Northern States Governors’ Forum (NSGF) rose from their meeting with a call for more test centres and a coordinated response system to the COVID-19 pandemic in the country.

  Chaired by Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau State, the teleconference discussed a wide range of issues and shared experiences on measures adopted by individual states to contain the spread of the viral disease.

According to a statement issued by the Director of Press and Public Affairs, Plateau State Government, Dr. Makut Macham, the Forum received reports from various states in the zone and resolved to strengthen preventive measures against the pandemic.

Some of the approaches include enhanced border controls and surveillance as well as greater collaboration to ensure synergy among them in movement restriction.

The governors noted that, so far, the lockdown in some states within the region witnessed varying levels of success, but raised concerns that enforcing cross-border movements remained a challenge, as some of the cases recorded in some states were imported, despite the border closure.

“They agreed that at the moment, each state should adopt the measure suitable to its setting, because total lockdown of the region will come at a very high cost since most of its citizens are farmers who need to go to farms since the rains have started,” the statement disclosed.

The meeting was preceded by the meeting of secretaries to governments of the 19 Northern states, which was presided over by Plateau SSG, Prof. Danladi Atu.

Meanwhile, Gombe State has concluded plans to establish COVID-19 testing laboratory in the state.

Governor Muhammadu Yahaya stated this during the state broadcast on Tuesday at Government House, Gombe.

“Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) machine has been procured and we are engaging the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) to obtain the requisite accreditation,” he said.

The governor disclosed that the state’s task force procured over N200 million worth of medical supplies and consumables, including personal protective equipment (PPEs), which had been positioned in all health care facilities across the state.

“It has built the capacity of our frontline health workers to enable them detect and respond to any suspected case according to the guidelines issued by NCDC.

He further said the battle against COVID-19 could better be won by preventing its importation and spread into communities through the enforcement of strict vigilance, observing recommended practices like hand-washing, social distancing and compliance with medical advice.