No break for frontline health workers from coronavirus disease. Two months after the announcement of the first case of covid-19 in Niger, the disease continues to spread but the mobilization to stem the transmission of the virus is also ongoing.
To ensure the sampling and testing of suspected cases, the Center for Medical and Health Research (CERMES) has seen its capacities strengthened in human resources and equipment. In the capital, there are several sites intended for the sorting and treatment of patients who test positive for Covid-19. “The CERMES laboratory does screening tests daily. Among the patients declared positive, a certain sorting is made by the mobile teams. All patients who are asymptomatic or pauci-symptomatic and who have very few symptoms are taken care of either at home or at the hospital level, units called hospitalization section for mild to moderate patients” indicates Dr Foumakoye Gado Adamou , head of the anesthesia department at the general reference hospital of Niamey.
I would like to thank my brother @MohamedBinZayed & the #UAE government for their support and solidarity to the people of #Niger. These 6 tonnes of medical equipments will strengthen our efforts in the fight against the #COVID19 pandemic. https://t.co/6L4pZKIAEZ
— Issoufou Mahamadou (@IssoufouMhm) May 10, 2020
For patients with “signs of distress or co-morbid conditions, meaning, who already have a chronic illness that will make them much more vulnerable to Covid-19 infection, they will be transferred directly to the intensive care units”, he adds.
Regarding the capacities of his department, Dr Foumakoye Gado Adamou ensures that the equipment is in place to treat patients. “In intensive care, we are quite well off since we get to have individual rooms, we have here an oxygen production plant. This solves a lot of problems. In this unit of 11 intensive care beds, we have 6 anesthesia respirators available. I think that on 11 beds, when we have 6 respirators, we are beyond 50% of the beds which are covered by respirators knowing that not all patients will need respirators but you must have it. When we have the need and we don’t have the device, at that moment, we’re very annoyed,” he said.
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Every day, all the data on the progress of the disease are collected by the team of the National Center for Response to Epidemics. “To speak of a peak, you have to have epidemiological models. Currently, there is a team that is doing the work. It is on the basis of the data that we have every day, over a period that we make models. We roll out this model and make projections that will allow us to know exactly when or which period, we can reach the peak and at what period, we can think that the epidemic is declining” explains Dr Issoufou Djibo, president of the Response Committee.
A three-component response plan: health, social and economic
The health crisis is not without consequences for other activity sectors. Despite the announcement of several accompanying measures by the government to limit the impact of the crisis on populations, the prices of certain basic products continue to rise. “As far as sugar is concerned, this is pure speculation. From 22000 CFA francs the ceiling price, we unfortunately reach 30000 francs currently on the market. All of the measures that have been taken by consensus with traders, for the most part, are not being followed. The prices are above the price ceilings that have been set”, said Mahamane Nouri, president of the consumer defense association.
Mesures sanitaires prises par le Gouvernement face à la pandémie du #coronavirus #COVID19. #CoronavirusNiger #Covid19Niger pic.twitter.com/U1JbSMO93n
— Présidence du Niger (@PresidenceNiger) March 27, 2020
Controlling the prices of products on the market is necessary, according to Ali Oumarou, president of the National Youth Council. “The gel that we bought at 750 francs in the past, now, if you don’t have 1500 francs or even 2000 francs, you can’t have it. The masks that we bought at 200 francs, today if you don’t have 500 or 600 francs you can’t have it. As you well know, we are a poor country in which young people can spend even a week without getting 500 francs. So, a young person who has 500 francs will prefer to buy tea or cigarettes than to go and buy a protective mask. This is why we once again call on our government to follow up rigorously on the ground. I cannot understand that the government fixes prices and that on the other hand, crooked traders take pleasure in driving up these prices”, he deplores.
Mesures sociales prises par le Gouvernement face à la pandémie du #coronavirus #COVID19. #CoronavirusNiger #Covid19Niger pic.twitter.com/RtPOfBgVa3
— Présidence du Niger (@PresidenceNiger) March 27, 2020
Tchanbiano Amadou, Secretary General of Traders explains: “The measures announced by the Head of State were welcomed at our level. We thought as usual that we were going to proceed with the easing measures in terms of VAT on consumer goods. Unfortunately, this has not been done. The president spoke but there had not been any execution. It’s true, the minister asked that there be at least price stability for a period of three months. Unfortunately, the product is scarce and when it is scarce, the stores will close”.
Mesures économiques prises par le Gouvernement face à la pandémie du #coronavirus #COVID19. #CoronavirusNiger #Covid19Niger pic.twitter.com/imd9eIKt9x
— Présidence du Niger (@PresidenceNiger) March 27, 2020
A week ago, the government decided to lighten certain measures taken in the fight against the spread of the coronavirus. Among these measures, there is the lifting of the curfew in Niamey and the reopening of places of worship in the country. As of May 21, 2020, 924 people have tested positive for the coronavirus, 753 recovered and 60 deaths.
*Produced with the support of the Sahel Program of IMS, funded by DANIDA.
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