A high power delegation of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 has arrived in Kano.

The delegation’s arrival is less than 24 hours after the nation’s President, Muhammadu Buhari said there was need for high level intervention to assist the ancient city in the fight against Coronavirus as the spread enters community transmission level.

The Head of the delegation, Dr Nasiru Sani said; “President Buhari gave them 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 reinforce and mobilise 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.

“We are here to support the Kano team in achieving the needs that are necessary for containing the disease.”

On the special committee are: Professor Abdussalam Nasidi, the first pioneer Director General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), who is a Professor of infectious diseases and the Special Adviser to the Health Minister on COVID-19 to Kano, Dr Bimpe Adebiyi, who heads Department of Health Services at the federal Ministry of Health, among others.

Responding, Governor Abdullahi Ganduje thanked President Buhari for coming to the aid of the state at this critical time.

He said; ” President Buhari 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.”

More testing centres
Governor Ganduje reiterated his call for more Testing Centres in the state, saying “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. 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.

Personal Protection Equipment
Governor Ganduje requested for the provision of more Personal Protection Equipment (PPE), stressing that ”life insurance is absolutely necessary. We are also providing Palliative to our health workers, they also have families, who must also be supported.”

Professor Nasidi said they were not in Kano to compete or to replace any existing structure, but to reinforce already existing structures in the state

He said; ”we are going to work with your team Your Excellency. We are here and we are going to work 24/7. We will always be available.”

Professor Nasidi said; “I am pleased for coming home, Kano, when my people need me the most. We all know that Kano is not in denial at all. The state believes that the pandemic must be fought from all angles.”

Confidence
According to him, the Presidential Task Force has confidence in Governor Ganduje, adding “We have the competence and understanding of the Governor. What we need now is the cooperation of other people, like traditional institutions, scholars, community leaders, among others.”

On her part, Dr Adebiyi said she was impressed with the Governor’s passion for healthcare service delivery, even before the COVID-19 pandemic.

She reiterated that they were not in Kano to reinvent the wheel, but to work hand in hand with the state.

By Mercy Chukwudiebere