EU, UN Boost Nigeria’s COVID-19 Response

• FG receives medical supplies worth N26bn

BY VICTOR OSOWOCHI, ABUJA – Nigeria’s fight against the raging coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has received a huge boost with the Federal Government taking delivery of the second batch of medical supplies worth N26bn from the European Union (EU) and the United Nations (UN).

The supplies, purchased with UN Basket Fund for COVID-19 response, aimed at strengthening the national response by further providing the much needed protection, especially for frontline health workers.

The package of medical supplies include: 500,000 face shields; 200,000 goggles; 100 oro-pharyngeal airways; 10,000 bio-hazard bags; and 14,000 safety boxes, a statement from the Federal Ministry of Health said

Director of Information, Media and Public Relations of the Federal Ministry of Health, Olujimi Oyetomi, who signed the statement issued on Friday, July 31, 2020, said the Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire and National Coordinator of the Presidential Task Force (PTF), Dr. Sani Aliyu received the supplies at the cargo section of Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport in Abuja.

According to the statement; “The Honourable Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire today, Friday, 31st July, 2020 joined the National Coordinator of Presidential Task Force on COVID-19, Dr. Sani Aliyu at the Cargo Section of Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja to receive medical supplies from EU contributions worth N26 Billion.”

It further stated that; “Mr. Alexander Borges – Gomes, the Charge d’Affaires a.i. of the European Union Delegation to Nigeria, who coordinated the handing over of the Medical Supplies, disclosed that the items were procured through the One United Nations COVID-19 Basket Fund from a significant contribution from the European Union of €50 Million (N26 Billion).”