Health
COVID-19: Kano, Ogun, Edo, Oyo Fail To Disclose Amount Spent On Tests
Kwara, Ogun, Kano, Edo and Oyo states have refused to disclose the amount they had spent on COVID-19 tests in their various states
The fight against Coronavirus has been placed in the hands of states in Nigeria, as the Federal Government is overwhelmed with making decisions that will help curtail the spread of COVID-19 in the country.
Information gathered has it that the likes of Kwara, Ogun, Kano, Edo and Oyo states on Sunday refused to disclose the amount they had spent on COVID-19 tests.
The Lagos State Government a few weeks ago has revealed that they had spent N800m on Coronavirus tests in the state.
The Commissioner for Health in the state, Prof Akin Abayomi, in a statement, noted that the cost for a test is between N40,000 and N50,000 and at that time, the state had conducted 16,000 COVID-19 tests.
However, other states like Kano, Ogun, Edo, Kano and Oyo, Kwara states did not provide information on how much had been spent on COVID-19 in their states.
The Spokesman of the Kwara State Governor, Rafiu Ajakaye, revealed that the state government is not collecting money from Coronavirus patients.
He said, “The government does not charge patients treated for COVID-19 in the state.”
Ajakaye while speaking on the amount spent on Coronavirus test in the state said it could not be revealed because the tests were still being conducted.
The Governor Seyi Makinde-led government noted that the state government has taken full financial responsibility for the cost of testing and treatment for all reported 365 COVID-19 cases in the state.
The Oyo State Government revealed the financial records of the cost of testing and treatment are not available as a result of the ongoing partial lockdown in the state which affected the civil servants.
The report was revealed by the spokesman to the state governor, Seyi Makinde in an interview with Punch on Sunday.
Governor Abdullahi Ganduje-led government on its part noted that it is yet to ascertain the exact amount it was spending on each test conducted on COVID-19 patient in the state.
The development was disclosed by the Coordinator, Kano State Task Force Committee on COVID-19, Dr Tijjani Husain, on Sunday.
Ogun State Government revealed that neither the patients nor the state paid for the tests conducted for COVID-19 in the state.
The Commissioner for Health, Dr Tomi Coker, said this while responding to inquiries from a news correspondent.
She said, “Ogun State does not pay for the test because it is sponsored by a donor.”
“I do not know how much has been spent as there are many facets of COVID-19 response including humanitarian, security and health.”
The Edo State Government on Sunday said though the cost of the test for the novel coronavirus was expensive, the government paid for it.
