The National Coordinator of the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19, Dr Sani Aliyu, has said the country’s health system is fragile and may not withstand the effect of a major outbreak of COVID-19 or other infections.
Dr Aliyu said this on Tuesday during the submission of the PTF End-of-the-Report to President Muhammadu Buhari at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa, Abuja.
He, therefore, stressed the need for a carefully thought through and action-oriented reform of the health sector that would improve health security and place the country in a better position to manage future health threats.
He said as 2020 drew to a close, the PTF needed to redefine its role in the COVID-19 response and identify how to streamline into a lean but effective response body that would focus on tackling COVID-19 by sustaining the gains made while maintaining a reasonable level of readiness in response to this second surge of the pandemic but also other outbreaks in the future.
COVID-19 will be with us for a while
Dr Aliyu said: “In summary, Your Excellency, there are three key lessons we must carry forward:
“COVID-19 will be with us for a while. Although this is the new normal, it continues to be just as deadly.
Nevertheless, we have shown it is possible to keep it in check through the work we have done – we must persevere and continue the communication and enforcement aspects required to keep us safe until the epidemic is over.
“Next year will be all about the COVID-19 vaccine. This is a huge challenge for the country and will require your leadership and continued commitment, Mr. President.
“All hands must be on deck to deliver and overcome the challenges of securing the supply of safe and effective vaccines, logistics and acceptance.
Our health system has been challenged
“Our health system has been challenged by the COVID-19 pandemic. The country’s health system is fragile and may not withstand the effect of a major outbreak of COVID-19 or other infections.
“There is an urgent need for a carefully thought through and action-oriented reform of the health sector that will improve our health security and place the country in a better position to manage future health threats.”
He added: “While a lot has been achieved, gratitude goes to the partners and donors, PTF members, secretariat staff without whom we will not have made any achievements. On behalf of the PTF, I would also like to thank you for the immense support you have provided us, your timely approval of our requests and guidance through what has been an incredibly challenging period for all.
“However, it is not over yet. A lot more work needs to be done to enable us transition back to normal. I am confident that working together and with your continued support, we will overcome this challenge once again.”
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