Nigeria’s efforts to fight the COVID-19 pandemic got a major boost as the Catholic Bishop Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) offered all its 425 health facilities across the country as isolation centres for COVID-19 patients.
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha, made this known at the daily Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 briefing on Monday.
The federal government earlier raised concern over the unavailability of adequate bed spaces to accommodate all COVID-19 patients in the country.
As of Monday night, Nigeria has recorded 641 cases of coronavirus. These include 902 people who have recovered and have been discharged as well as150 deaths.
With the increasing number of cases, the government said it was considering the option of home-care treatment as some states are running out of bed spaces.
Mr Mustapha Monday, however, said state governments can now take advantage of the donated facilities to treat patients.
“As part of efforts to support the states in the establishment of the isolation and treatment centres, I wish to remind our governors that the Catholic Bishops Conference has volunteered all the 425 hospitals and clinics nationwide for adaptation and use as isolation centres
“Governors are encouraged to please approach Catholic Bishops in their states to access these facilities,” he said
