COVID-19: FG receives medical supplies worth N26bn from EU, UN

The Federal Government on Friday took delivery of the second batch of medical supplies worth N26bn from the European Union (EU) and the United Nations (UN).

The supplies, which will further boost the country’s fight against the deadly COVID-19 pandemic and provide the much needed protection, especially for frontline health workers, were purchased with UN Basket Fund for COVID-19 response.

The medical supplies included 500,000 face shields; 200,000 goggles; 100 oro-pharyngeal airways; 10,000 bio-hazard bags; and 14,000 safety boxes.

A statement by the Director of Information, Media and Public Relations of the Federal Ministry of Health, Olujimi Oyetomi, disclosed that the National Coordinator of the Presidential Task Force (PTF), Dr. Sani Aliyu and the Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, received the commodities at the cargo section of Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport in Abuja.

The statement said in part: “The Honourable Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire today, Friday, 31st July, 2020 joined the National Coordinator of Presidential Task Force on COVID-19, Dr. Sani Aliyu at the Cargo Section of Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja to receive medical supplies from EU contributions worth N26 Billion.

“Mr. Alexander Borges – Gomes, the Charge d’Affaires a.i. of the European Union Delegation to Nigeria who coordinated the handing over of the Medical Supplies, disclosed that the items were procured through the One United Nations COVID-19 Basket Fund from a significant contribution from the European Union of €50 Million (N26 Billion).”