The Minister of State for Health, Olorunnimbe Mamora, has described as unfortunate insinuations by some Nigerians that the coronavirus disease does not exist and government is only using it to make money.
He said such views could make a mockery of the efforts and sacrifices of people giving their best to treat infected persons and contain the raging virus.
Mamora spoke on Friday during a webinar by Emmanuel Chapel, titled, ‘State of health: Epidemic outbreaks, COVID-19 talk series’ hosted by the Founder and CEO, Health Markets Africa, Fola Laoye.
Other participants were the Director-General, NCDC, Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu; Executive Director, National Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr Faisal Shuaib; and the CEO, First Cardiology Consultants, Prof Kofo Ogunyankin.
Mamora said,
“COVID-19 has been described in terms of management as all of government and all of society, so everybody has to get involved and people must appreciate that as individuals, they have the primary responsibility for their health. That is the basic thing.
“People should know that what you do to yourself would help in a long way in protecting others around you. So, we have to continue to engage in advocacy and education. These are critical issues.
“As we speak now, there are people out there who are still living in denial, saying there is nothing like COVID-19 and it’s something to make money. But we still have to do what we have to do and it is quite unfortunate, because you have people putting their lives at stake, yet some people out there don’t believe and they decide to have a different thinking.”
He said it was also regrettable that people were not adhering to the advisories issued by the NCDC.
“It’s important for people to take responsibility for their own health and for the good of all of us. This is very important and we cannot be tired of putting these things out,” he added.