COVID-19: Christian group calls for increased testing centres, more kits

Group
By Ibukun Emiola
Ibadan, April 13, 2020 (NAN) Mr Anthony Fasehun, the Programme Officer, South West for the Christian Rural and Urban Development Association of Nigeria (CRUDAN), has called on government to urgently increase testing centres on COVID-19 to curb its spread.

Fasehun made the call in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ibadan on Monday.

The group urged the government to make more kits available so as to increase the number of people being tested for the virus in a bid to contain it.

It appreciated government’s swift response at both federal and state levels in the fight against coronavirus in the country.

“Since COVID-19 is new, the test centres and kits are not enough. In a population of over 200 million, more people need to be tested, especially in high risk states.

“NCDC has been working tirelessly both in the various testing centres and through the media awareness, we appreciate its commitment.

“We must not wait till the virus gets to all the 36 states of the federation as it will be overwhelming to manage an outbreak, at a time maternal and child death, tuberculosis, malaria and lassa fever are still ravaging our land.

“Nigerians should see the test as an obligation to the country. Already the NCDC has developed a risk assessment that citizens can carry out to ascertain their risk level.

“For anyone who has just returned to the country, especially from high risk countries or visited any of the states with a case, should voluntarily go for a test.

“It is better to take the test than living with the fear of the unknown,” the group said.

It also suggested that security should be beefed up more than ever at a time like this to prevent cases of robbery, violence and other forms of abuse.

The group also advocated training and recruitment of more personnel and volunteers that would support the ongoing effort on containment.

“There should be collaboration with civil society groups that are credible and experienced in humanitarian work. This will further strengthen the work of the government, especially in the distribution of relief materials.

“Also, there is a need to increase the number of the beneficiaries of the N20,000 cash grant, as feedback from the citizens suggest exclusion of many people who are genuinely vulnerable.

“There is a need to intensify the awareness on COVID-19, especially in the rural communities as there are so many myths and misconceptions,” it said.

The group, however, called on Christian faithful to use the occasion of Easter to pray more than ever before.

“We need to call on God to heal our land and stop this pandemic.

“There is despair, anxiety, fear and disturbances in the land. God rescued his people during the plague while they were in slavery in Egypt; same God is still alive.

“Let us unite in prayer irrespective of our denomination.

“Our teachings should bring peace, hope and comfort. This is not the time to compete or proof scholastic prowess.

“We need God’s intervention not just in Nigeria but all over the world,” the group said. (NAN)
IBK/FF/AJA
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Edited by Fela Fashoro/Adeleye Ajayi