Interim guidelines for home-based isolation & care of confirmed COVID-19 cases

Homebased care for suspected or confirmed COVID -19 patients is the holistic and integrated care provided for asymptomatic and symptomatic confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the comfort of their homes. It encompasses biomedical, physical, psychosocial, palliative, and other aspects of care provided by patients, family members, community volunteers and /or healthcare workers under the supervision of a treatment centre with appropriate facilities for evaluation when necessary. As majority of patients are asymptomatic or mild and require minimal interventions for care, the home is an ideal place to manage such patients in a cost-effective manner with satisfactory outcomes. This allows the focus of institutional care to the management of moderate to severe cases. Patients who meet the criteria for home- based isolation and care after assessment of clinical risk, home risk, Infection Prevention and Control, adherence to guidelines, waste management and other factor are enrolled into a specific home- based care team attached to an isolation/treatment centre for supportive care. They are followed up to discharge after a minimum of 10 days after exposure, confirmation of test positivity, or onset of symptoms. The frequency of follow up is mainly based on the clinical risk assessment. Patients whose clinical risk or condition deteriorate are evacuated preferably to their supervising treatment centre. Specific roles of all stakeholders and personnel are clearly delineated with protocols and procedures for data management also well spelt out. Ultimately, it is envisaged that this revision of the home -based care guideline for management of asymptomatic and mild suspected or confirmed cases of COVID-19 would ensure efficient and effective management of covid-19 patients in their home with improved outcomes.

Nigeria vaccine policy

Vaccines are recognised globally for their importance in the reduction of vaccines preventable diseases to improve the quality of life of the entire population. The importance of vaccines has been further demonstrated with the COVID-19 outbreak with countries scrambling to produce vaccines to combat the effect of the pandemic amongst their citizens. The purpose of this Vaccine Policy is to address the goal and objectives of achieving availability, self-sufficiency and vaccine security in the country. It is hoped that the development of this Policy will complement the already existing Immunisation Policy and provide the platform for the amelioration of vaccine-preventable diseases in Nigeria. Highlights of the Policy include: its vision, mission, goal, objectives, targets and implementation strategies for achieving local vaccines production and ownership of the vaccines supply chain management processes towards vaccine availability and security in the country. To achieve these, the Policy needs to be implemented and monitored hence the Policy provides for the establishment of appropriate governing structures to oversee the implementation process. The governing council and its various structures will pursue the achievement of the goal and objectives of the Policy. They will mobilise resources from the governments across all levels, individuals, the international communities, donor agencies. Other critical areas include the resuscitation of local production of vaccines, intensification of research and development and strengthening of the legislature and regulatory agencies to support the quality and safety of vaccines in Nigeria. It is recommended that all stakeholders responsible for implementing this policy should work collaboratively to ensure the goal and objectives are met