Covid-19: Nigeria warns lack of WHO funding could cost humanity

Director general of Nigeria’s Centre for Disease Control warned that “a price will be paid” in response to questions about the American president’s decision to halt funding to the World Health Organization (WHO).

Also read: Trump announces funding halt to World Health Organization

The global pandemic’s impact on Nigeria and Africa took centre stage at today’s WHO briefing hosted with the support of the World Economic Forum, as part of the Covid Action Platform.

WHO’s regional director for Africa, Dr Matshidiso Moeti, director general of Nigeria’s Centre for Disease Control, Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu, and national coordinator for the presidential Covid-19 task force, Dr Sani Aliyu, fielded questions from the media.

Ihekweazu emphasised the importance of WHO funding.

“It is hard to explain to somebody living outside this continent, how important this organisation is for the work we do,” said Ihekweazu, in response to questions about Donald Trump’s decision to halt funding.

Also read: WHO on Covid-19 – There’s strength in community communication

He said the continent relies on WHO for guidance, knowledge and expertise.

“Lives are saved because of the work they do.

“We don’t have the luxury on this continent to build up all the infrastructure on our own. This organisation is critical to our collective survival and the collective survival of the world.

“A price will be paid.

“If funding of WHO is affected in the way it may be, there will be a huge price for humanity to pay – and not only for us on this side of the world,” said Ihekweazu.

Africa’s own attempts to seek solutions to fighting the virus were also questioned.

Moeti said that awareness campaigns have been launched to communicate the risk of the virus to Africans.“The challenge with Africa is how people are connected.

“People are organised in various associations and groups.

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“We are working on communication through these groups to ensure the information is translated into local ways of understanding to allow people to understand the virus,” said Moeti.

She said that a call for innovation was circulated to African scientists and innovators who understand the local context.

“We have already received a response to this call – these people know and understand the local limitations in implementing new innovations.

“We are also seeing an interest in using Africa’s capacity to make clothes and we have noticed many projects involving mask production.

“We use what we have, and what we can to protect our communities,” said Moeti.

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