The World Health Organisation (WHO) has said it has discontinued the use of hydroxychloroquine and lopinavir/ritonavir in its global trial for the treatment of COVID-19 as recommended by the Solidarity Trial’s International Steering Committee.

“The committee formulated the recommendation in light of the evidence for hydroxychloroquine vs standard-of-care and for lopinavir/ritonavir vs standard-of-care from the Solidarity trial interim results. “The trial interim results are from a review of the evidence from all trials presented at the July 1 to July 2, WHO Summit on COVID-19 research and innovation.

The Nigerian Medical Association Cross River State chapter has withdrawn its services in hospitals across the state. The association also passed a vote of no confidence on the state Commissioner for Health, Betta Edu, over alleged unethical handling of COVID-19 crisis. 

In a statement on Sunday by the state Chairman of the association, Dr. Agam Ayuk; and Secretary, Dr Ezoke Epoke, the NMA said after an emergency general meeting on Sunday, decided to take the action. The statement read in part, “The Association deeply appreciates the efforts of the Federal Ministry of Health through the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC)

The Minister of Health, Dr. Osage Ehanire, has disclosed that non-release of funds is affecting the N200 million drugs related research framework developed by the ministry and its affiliate organs to fight the COVID-19 pandemic.

The minister stated this while making a presentation before the House of Representatives Adhoc Committee on COVID-19 late Friday. He appeared before the Committee alongside the heads of National Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHDA),

The Medical Guild has disagreed with the Lagos State Government for disengaging over 30 frontline health workers in the State. The PUNCH learnt that no fewer than 30 volunteer workers at the Infectious Disease Hospital, Yaba and the Onikan Isolation Centre have been told to leave. 

The Medical Guild, Lagos Chairman, Dr Oluwajimi Sodipo, in an interview with our correspondent, said it was unfortunate that the Lagos State Government did not have any concrete agreement with the health workers that had been told to stop rendering services at the isolation centre.

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has confirmed 460 new cases of COVID-19 in the country, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 30,249. The centre disclosed this on Wednesday night via its verified Twitter handle.

“On the 8th of July 2020, 460 new confirmed cases and 15 deaths were recorded in Nigeria. No new state has reported a case in the last 24 hours. “Till date, 30249 cases have been confirmed, 12373 cases have been discharged and 684 deaths have been recorded in 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

The Nigerian Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has said that plans are on the way to establish a molecular laboratory in Nasarawa State. 

This was disclosed by the Director-General of the centre, Chikwe Ihekweazu, while on a courtesy call to the governor of Nasarawa State, Abdullahi Sule, at the Government House on Wednesday. Mr Ihekweazu, who was in the state on an official visit, said the idea is to enable medical experts to carry out tests for COVID-19 in the state. 

The World Health Organization (WHO) has expressed concern  that the threat of COVID-19 overwhelming fragile health systems on the African continent is escalating. The global health body worry that COVID-19 infections in Africa has surpassed 500 000, and growing number of countries are experiencing a sharp rise in cases.

“ln less than five months, the virus has claimed 11, 959 lives, overtaking the 11, 308 lives lost in the world’s worst Ebola outbreak in West Africa between 2014 and 2016. “Cases have more than doubled in 22 countries in the region over the past month. Nearly two-thirds of countries are experiencing community  transmission.

The Lagos State House of Assembly has called on Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to direct the state Commissioner for Health, Professor Akin Abayomi to accredit more private hospitals to treat those that are infected with COVID-19.

The governor was also urged to work with the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) on the fight against COVID-19. The issue was part of the resolutions of the Assembly on Motion Number 23, 2020 entitled; “Need To Allow Private Hospitals Participate In The Treatment of COVID-19 Patients,” by Hon. Hakeem Sokunle (Oshodi/Isolo 1) during plenary.

World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus attends a news conference organized by Geneva Association of United Nations Correspondents (ACANU) amid the COVID-19 outbreak, caused by the novel coronavirus, at the WHO headquarters in Geneva Switzerland on July 3, 2020 AFP[/caption]

The World Health Organization, which faced fierce US criticism over its handling of the coronavirus crisis, launched an independent panel on Thursday to review its response to the pandemic. The Independent panel for Pandemic Preparedness and Response will be headed by former New Zealand prime minister Helen Clark and former Liberian president Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.