Regular handwashing critical against COVID-19 third wave –CMD
Published 12 May 2021
The Chief Medical Director, University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Prof. Darlington Obaseki, has advised Nigerians to always observe regular handwashing and other stipulated safety measures to avoid the current third wave of COVID-19 raging in India and some other countries.
Obaseki, at an event organised by the hospital to mark 2021 World Hand Hygiene Day, urged Nigerians not to be deceived by the current low cases of COVID-19 in the country.
He said, “We pray that what is happening in India doesn’t get here but that can only happen if we keep doing the right things by wearing our face masks and washing our hands regularly,” he said.
Represented by Dr Chinwe Ochu, Director of Prevention Programme and Knowledge Management at the centre, Dr Ihekweazu said hand washing was an effective way of preventing diseases for health workers, patients and the general public.
While noting that COVID-19 had further underscored the need for hand washing, he said hand washing facilities or sanitisers needed to be provided at the points of care to ensure safety of health workers and patients.
The centre said it launched the “Orange Network” in 2019, a network of dedicated tertiary health facilities in Nigeria supported by NCDC, to become centres of excellence in infection prevention and control.
Some countries across the globe are still experiencing a surge in COVID-19 cases.
Globally, there have been more COVID-19 cases reported in the last two weeks than during the first six months of the pandemic, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO).
As a precautionary measure to minimise the risk of a surge in COVID-19 cases, Nigeria last Sunday announced a temporary ban on non-Nigerian passengers who have been in Brazil, India or Turkey within 14 days of intended arrival into Nigeria.
These countries are experiencing a surge in COVID-19 cases and health authorities said more than half of last week’s COVID-19 cases were reported in India and Brazil.
The Ekiti State government has revealed that it would continue to build facilities and improve the capacity of health care workers towards enhancing the
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Home » Health » World Hand Hygiene Day: Nigerians must learn from India to avoid COVID-19 third wave CMD UBTH
World Hand Hygiene Day: Nigerians must learn from India to avoid COVID-19 third wave CMD UBTH
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By Chioma Obinna
As Nigeria joined the rest of the world to Mark the 2021 World Hand Hygiene Day, today (May 5) the Chief Medical Director, University of Benin Teaching Hospital, UBTH, Prof. Darlington Obaseki says Nigerians must continue to observe regular hand washing and other stipulated safety measures to avoid the current third wave of COVID-19 raging in India and some other countries.
India is currently experiencing the worst global Covid-19 experience with the official death toll now surpassing 200,000 as of the country, thought to have successfully controlled the pandemic, now record about 400,000 cases daily.