The Director General of Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Dr. Ifedayo Adetifa, has advocated for more research on COVID-19 vaccines, adding that new findings by scientists will put an end to the virus.
Dr Ifedayo posited that the surest way to end COVID-19 and its new variants currently bedeviling some parts of the world is to scientifically analyse the situation and come up with a vaccine.
The NCDC boss stated this on Tuesday while delivering the maiden Public Lecture organised by College of Basic Health Sciences (COBHS), Achievers University, Owo, Ondo State.
The lecture’s theme was “the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on Nigeria Healthcare delivery system and the roles NCDC” held at the University.
In an incisive analysis on the outbreak of diseases in the country, the guest lecturer stated that “2014 was Ebola, 2016 Polio reemergence, 2017 was Meningitis & monkey pox, while in 2019 Lassa fever outbreak, 2020 COVID-19 was experienced globally and in 2021 cholera became a major pandemic in Nigeria.”
Giving the estimation he said; “COVID-19 as at 12th March 2022 it was recorded that 254,894 confirmed cases, 3,142 death in the 36+1 states”.
He further stated that over six million lives had been lost globally.
While giving the estimated money been allocated for pandemic, the NCDC Boss said, “By 2025, USD 28 trillion estimated cost to global economy, destroyed livelihood of millions, fractured societies and broken essence of normal life.
“Federal Government in collaboration with the States had devoted large chunks of their time and resources to inhibit the virus, this is even as the life expectancy is at 54% as at the year 2019”, he said.
On his part, the Pro-Chancellor of the Institution, Dr. Bode Ayorinde, acknowledged the spirited efforts of the University in making the virus reach its lowest level through the production of hand sanitizers.
He also said the Institution complied with all precautionary measures highlighted by medical experts in a bid to abrogate the pandemic.
However, Ayorinde urged the students eschew restiveness, lure of lure and other forms of malaise.
The lecture was attended by members of the University Community led by the institution’s Vice Chancellor, Prof Samuel Aje.
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