ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: The COVID-19 pandemic continues to overwhelm health systems across the globe. We aimed to assess the readiness of hospitals in Nigeria to respond to the COVID-19 outbreak. METHOD: Between April and October 2020, hospital representatives completed a modified World Health Organisation (WHO) COVID-19 hospital readiness checklist consisting of 13 components and 124 indicators. Readiness scores were classified as adequate (score ≥80%), moderate (score 50-79.9%) and not ready (score <50%). RESULTS: Among 20 (17 tertiary and three secondary) hospitals from all six geopolitical zones of Nigeria, readiness score ranged from 28.2% to 88.7% (median 68.4%), and only three (15%) hospitals had adequate readiness. There was a median of 15 isolation beds, four ICU beds and four ventilators per hospital, but over 45% of hospitals established isolation facilities and procured ventilators after the onset of COVID-19. Of the 13 readiness components, the lowest readiness scores were reported for surge capacity (61.1%), human resources (59.1%), staff welfare (50%) and availability of critical items (47.7%). CONCLUSION: Most hospitals in Nigeria were not adequately prepared to respond to the COVID-19 outbreak. Current efforts to strengthen hospital preparedness should prioritize challenges related to surge capacity, critical care for COVID-19 patients, and staff welfare and protection.
Subject(s)
COVID-19/epidemiology , Hospitals/statistics & numerical data , Pandemics , Surveys and Questionnaires , Hospitals/supply & distribution , Humans , Nigeria/epidemiology , Surge CapacityABSTRACT
The government of Nigeria ordered closure of schools to slow the spread of COVID-19 when the pandemic hit the country. About 5 months into the outbreak, secondary schools have been reopened to allow students to write their terminal examinations. Many state governments and school owners are fumigating their schools as a way of disinfecting the school environment and ensuring safe resumption of academic activities. We discuss the undue attention given to fumigation in this instance and stress the importance of addressing more beneficial and sustainable strategies to prevent COVID-19 in Nigerian schools.