Federal Government Resumes Coronavirus Drug Trial

The Minister for Health under the President Muhammadu Buhari-led government, Osagie Ehanire, on Tuesday, revealed that the Federal Government has approved the resumption of Coronavirus drug trial.

Ehanire revealed this development while speaking at the daily briefing of the Presidential Taskforce (PTF on COVID-19, in Abuja.

Recall that the Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Mojisola Christianah Adeyeye, noted that the country would continue the trial with hydroxychloroquine despite the directive from the World Health Organisation.

Ehanire in his statement revealed why the president Buhari government approved the continuation of the drug trial.

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”.

Ehanire 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”.

The minister further stated that the ministry met 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.

Ehanire called on 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.