COVID-19: Ministry Of Health Raises Alarm Over Shortage Of Bed-Space

The Federal Ministry of Health has raised alarm over the increase in Coronavirus confirmed cases and the number of bed-spaces available for patients that are being treated for the virus.

Recall that the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, NCDC, on Sunday night, announced 260 new cases bringing the total number of confirmed cases in Nigeria to 12486.

The Ministry of Health on Friday while speaking on the increase in confirmed cases noted that Nigeria has 6,994 bed-spaces for COVID-19 patients.

The Ministry further stated that the likes of Lagos, Kano State are experiencing a shortage of bed-spaces.

The ministry in a statement through its Director of Hospital Services, Dr Adebimpe Adebiyi, said states such as Lagos with 5,729 cases and Kano, with 997 cases were battling with a shortage of bed-spaces.

She, however, said the Federal Capital Territory and Ogun State had low bed occupancy rates.

Recall that that Director-General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu, during the daily briefing of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 on April 30, said the Federal Government was considering home treatment for COVID-19 patients because of a shortage of bed-spaces.

He said, “We are going to work with that to keep trying and making more spaces available but ultimately we might have to change our strategy a little bit, considering home care in certain circumstances where the person is able to provide a room where he or she can be managed sufficiently and secondly, we are able to support the care by enabling health workers to come to the house.”

Punch revealed that the ministry on Friday noted were 7,522 active cases in the country with 6,994 beds.

She, however, said states were making efforts to increase the number of bed-spaces for COVID-19 patients.

The director stated, “There are currently 7,522 active cases in the country with 6,994 beds nationwide but states are continuing to make concerted efforts at expansion.”

“The shortage of bed-spaces is occurring in only a few states such as Lagos and Kano where efforts are ongoing for expansion of bed-spaces, while some such as the FCT and Ogun State have low bed occupancy rates due to fewer numbers of confirmed or active cases.”