The Anap Foundation COVID-19 Think Tank has identified the seven items Nigeria needs urgently from the outside world and from all those who wish to help Nigeria at this time.
According to the think tank led by Atedo Peterside, former chairman of Stanbic IBTC, Nigeria needs test kits, molecular laboratories and skilled personnel, surgical face masks and cloth face coverings, personal protective equipment (PPE) for medical personnel.
Other needs identified are workforce redeployment, respirators/ventilators, hydroxychloroquine and azithromycin, and other drugs.
The think tank, with eminent members like Mathew Kukah, Bishop of the Anglican Diocese, Sokoto; Leo Stan Ekeh, billionaire chairman of Zinox Technology, believe that a safety net with handouts to 40 million unemployed and underemployed Nigerians is also be needed.
Explaining further, the COVI-19 think tank said the country should “consider deploying final year medical and nursing students, retirees, and unemployed health professionals of all grades”.