COVID-19: NGO distributes PPE kits worth N12m to 85 PHCs

An NGO, Planned Parenthood Federation of Nigeria (PPFN), on Thursday, distributed Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) kits worth N12 million to 85 Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) in Kano, Kaduna and FCT.

The Executive Director of the Federation, Dr. Okai Aku, disclosed this during the distribution exercise in Abuja.

Aku said that the distribution was part of the group’s Accelerating Equitable Access, Acceptance, and uptake of COVID-19 Vaccine (ACCESS) Project, funded by Pathfinder International and Macarthur Foundation.

According to him, 35 facilities in Kano will benefit from it, while 25 each from FCT and Kaduna will also be supported.

He said the kits consist of face masks, disinfectants, liquid soap, hand sanitisers, disposable gloves, safety boxes, towels, vaccine carrier, thermometer, AD syringes, and ice packs.

Aku explained that the exercise was to encourage more people to get the COVID-19 vaccine, as well as protect health workers from contracting the virus.

He said, “This initiative is because of COVID-19, as there is hesitancy in taking the vaccine with all sorts of news.going around concerning the vaccine.

“We all know the ravages it brought to this country and the whole world, it was a pandemic let us not deceive ourselves, it is still around.

“We had to bring in innovation and this innovation was supported by Macarthur Foundation through Pathfinder International. So, we are implementing because we work with the grassroots.

“We decided to invite those that will touch the health of the people in the communities first, that is why they are here, and we are giving them these items to protect themselves, at the same time, protect people in the community. This project is implemented in two states of Kaduna and Kano as well as FCT.”

He explained that the PPEs cost close to N12 million, adding that PPFN would monitor and evaluate how the products were distributed and used.

Dr Sunday Goji from Bwari Area Council who spoke on behalf of the PHCs, commended the organisation for the support, which he said would aid in preventing infectious diseases.

He said, “This has come in a good way and also serves as a way of strengthening the health system because we are not only preventing COVID-19, we are also preventing other diseases that are infectious like cholera, Lassa fever, monkeypox, and some other infectious diseases.

“This will go a long way to help us because the health workers will serve the people with one mind, hoping that they will also not get infected.”