Nigeria’s Health Minister, Osagie Ehanire, on Tuesday, announced that the Federal Government of Nigeria has approved the resumption of coronavirus drug trial in the country.
Ehanire disclosed this at the Presidential Taskforce (PTF) briefing on COVID-19 in Abuja.
Nigeria had after the World Health Organisation (WHO) directive insisted that it would continue the trial with hydroxychloroquine.
Speaking at the briefing, Ehanire explained why the government-approved the continuation of work.
The minister recalled that he had announced that Nigeria will “participate in the COVID-19 drug trial, which the WHO was leading but partly suspended”.
He said after consultation with top Nigerian scientists of the Ministerial Expert Advisory Committee, he was “advised that Nigeria has something to add to the body of knowledge around these trials”.
“I have therefore approved the continuation of the trial, as recommended, under strong precautionary conditions to be built into it,” he said.
Ehanire said the ministry had the first briefing with the Ministerial Advisory Panel of Experts on Monday and received a series of very useful advisories that will be discussed and shared with government organs.
He further appealed to Nigerians to continue to observe precautions and maintain good hygiene.
“Wear your mask on your face, not under your chin; it has no value under your chin. Wash hands regularly, use sanitizers and observe physical distancing. Open your windows to let in fresh air whenever it is safe to do so,” he said.
