ABUJA, April 8 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has procured and made delivery of some 30,500 diagnostic test kits to its 15 member countries.
The test kits are part of the various products purchased by the body to deal with the pandemic.
This information was contained in a communique released by the economic community on its commitment to help stem the spread of covid-19.
The press statement signed by the President of the ECOWAS commission, Jean Claude Kassi Brou said “ECOWAS continues to closely monitor the evolution of the Coronavirus pandemic in the world and particularly in West Africa. As of 5 April 2020, the 15 Member States are affected by the pandemic with 1,739 confirmed cases of contamination, 55 deaths and 328 persons who have fully recovered. It should be noted that approximately 95% of deaths are patients with comorbid conditions”.
ECOWAS has also made available financial support from its own resources, in addition to assistance from international partners, for the purchase of medical supplies and equipment essential for the fight against the pandemic
“The ECOWAS Commission is taking this opportunity to urge people to continue to implement the measures recommended by the Health Authorities, and to comply with the prescribed hygiene guidelines’” the statement added.
It said it has tasked its specialized health institution responsible for coordinating the response at the sub-regional level, the West African Health Organisation (WAHO), to draw a Regional Strategic Plan with all 15 member states.
So far, WAHO has procured 30,500 diagnostic test kits, 10,000 personal protective equipment (PPEs) and 740,000 prescription tablets made up of Chloroquine and Azithromycin.
Orders have also been placed for the acquisition of 240,000 more diagnostic kits, 240,000 extraction kits, and 285,100 more PPEs.
Over 268,000 medical masks, 250,000 viral sample transport equipment and 150 ventilators have also been ordered for onward distribution to member states.
Thousands of litres of alcohol gel and disinfectants are also in line to be procured.
“WAHO is also working, in close collaboration with the specialised services in Member States, to deploy personnel and epidemiological surveillance and data collection tools, strengthen the capacity of reference laboratories and train technical personnel,” the communique said.
It said the body will continue both internal and external resource mobilization “with a view to increasing the availability of medical materials and equipment necessary to prevent, monitor and combat this pandemic”.
“This will expand its scope of support to supplement member states’ own efforts.”
It thanked partners as well as member states “for their financial and technical support to the Community in these difficult times”.
“The ECOWAS Commission is taking this opportunity to urge people to continue to implement the measures recommended by the Health Authorities, and to comply with the prescribed hygiene guidelines.” — NNN-AGENCIES
