Africa News of Friday, 31 January 2020

Source: bbc.com

Nigerian nurses worried about coronavirus

Nigeria has heightened screening measures at the points of entry Nigeria has heightened screening measures at the points of entry

Nigeria's nurses union has expressed concerns over the country's preparedness for coronavirus despite the government saying it is ready to handle any cases that may arise.

The National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) leader Abdulrauf Adeniji has said nurses are not well equipped to handle the virus.

He says nurses lack safety kits - while basic supplies like gloves and masks have not been provided, The Punch newspaper reports.

Medics are being forced to carry their own safety kits - especially those deployed to join health officials at the points of entry, Mr Adeniji adds.

Nigeria's minister for health Osagie Ehanire is quoted by different media outlets saying the country is ready for any suspected case.

He has said screening of all passengers was ongoing in airports and that health officials and medics have a plan in case of any suspected case.

All suspected coronavirus cases in Africa - one in Ivory Coast, four in Ethiopia and one in Kenya - have tested negative.