The Federal Government has arrested 422 people with fake Covid-19 vaccination cards in the month of July and August.
Director Port Health Services, Dr. Geoffrey Okatubo disclosed this on Tuesday, September 13, 2022, at a press briefing in Abuja
According to Okadigbo, 96% of passengers who came into the country were fully vaccinated against Covid-19, he however said 176 and 246 people were arrested at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja for presenting fake Covid-19 vaccination certificates in July and August respectively.
He stated that the offenders have been handed over to security agencies and therefore, advised that Covid-19 vaccination certificates be gotten at approved health facilities only.
Highlighting the country’s disease burden arising from Covid-19, Lassa fever, Monkeypox and Measles, Assistant Director & Head of Response Division at the Nigeria Center for Disease Control (NCDC), Dr. Aderinola Olaolu said 5, 547,000 people in the country had been tested for Covid-19, of which 264,000 were confirmed to have the virus.
He noted that 257,000 people were discharged after treatment and 3,155 died from the disease.
Olaolu continued, “in Nigeria, we have 815 suspected cases, 318 confirmed cases, and 7 deaths this year from monkeypox.
“There have been 909 confirmed cases and 170 deaths of Lassa fever as at Week 34, from 25 states and 101 LGAs. Of all confirmed cases, 70% are from Ondo, Edo and Bauchi States”.
On measles, he said, “there have been 18,577 confirmed cases, and 190 deaths as at week 35 in 36 states & FCT and there are 40 LGAs with active outbreak”.
On his part, the Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire harped on the need to take preventive measures against diseases. He advised Nigerians to get vaccinated against Covid-19 and also practice non-pharmaceutical measures of disease prevention by wearing of facemasks, regular washing of hands and observance of social distance.
Going further, he said, “we urge everyone to know that the best way to health is to first of all prevent disease and the best methods of disease prevention are basic hygiene; food hygiene, personal hygiene, environmental hygiene, hand hygiene, WASH that is Water, Sanitation And Hygiene.
“Use a mosquito net if you have one, you can prevent disease and then promote health by eating the right things.
“We also warn against excessive use of sugar because diabetes is getting to be a problem in this country, diabetes occurs when your body can no longer digest sugar, if you have fed your body too much sugar.
“As soon as you can, from any age, avoid excessive use of sugar in your food or what you drink, same thing with excessive salt and then watch the oils you use. Transfat, Saturated fats and some oils imported into the country are also not good for you”, the Health Boss.
