COVID-19: ‘Chloroquine Aided The Recovery Of Governor Bala Mohammed Of Bauchi’

Bauch State Governor, Bala Mohammed has finally revealed one of the drugs used that helped him and five other patients to recover from the deadly COVID-19 diseases.

Naija News recalled that Governor Bala was the first index case in the state, however, Speaking via his Commissioner for Health, Dr Aliyu Maigoro, Mohammed said the anti-malaria drug, aided his quick recovery. According to him, five other patients who were discharged in the state were administered a dose of the anti-malaria drug.

So far, six patients have recovered and were discharged in the state following the outbreak of the deadly virus.

In any case, Governor Mohammed approved the use of chloroquine and Zithromax to treat COVID-19 patients in the state last Wednesday.

Mohammed is of the belief that the drugs are effective as opposed to the warning by the NCDC.

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control ( NCDC) had earlier declared that chloroquine has not been approved by the World Health Organisation (WHO) for treatment of COVID-19.

Reiterating the stance of the governor, Maigoro said: “As the governor rightly stated at the briefing, the same chloroquine treatment was also applied as a treatment for the other five patients who were discharged after the governor’s recovery.

“His Excellency has already briefed you. Chloroquine is what we have given to all discharged patients.

He continued, “as he (the Governor) said, he was treated with the chloroquine and Azithromycin, likewise the five patients that were discharged after him.”

He also clarified the Governor has only mandated the use of chloroquine for only infected patients, warning that those without the virus should not use it as a form of protection.

The Commissioner for Health further advised it’s better to apply the drugs as a form of treatment than to give nothing.

“Chloroquine treatment is not new. It’s even applied as a form of treatment in Lagos but because Governor Mohammed confirmed its effectiveness, it suddenly became a news. Have you wondered what States with high cases like Lagos and Abuja are giving to their patients?

“This chloroquine should be given under doctor’s guidance though and It’s now left for the researchers to do their jobs. You can use chloroquine, Azithromycin or antiretroviral. It’s a protocol and there are two different types of protocol and every state has the right to choose one in accordance with the guidelines of NCDC.

“it’s better to apply the drugs as a form of treatment than to give nothing,” he added.