The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) on Tuesday joined the rest of the world to mark the first World Mask Week (WMW) in bid to motivate Nigerians to wear facemasks in order to curb the spread of covid-19 infection.
The World Mask Week (WMW), slated for August 7 to 14 is aimed at reinforcing the importance of wearing a facemask to reduce the spread of COVID-19.
The Director-General of the NCDC, Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu, said the absence of vaccine to prevent infection coupled with the global increase in recorded cases, non-pharmaceutical measures must be adopted for self-protect.
Ihekweazu who made this known in a statement in Lagos state on Tuesday, said there was from a coalition of organisations including the Pandemic Action Network (PAN), World Health Organisation, Africa CDC and private companies working to mitigate the effects of COVID-19 globally.
He listed the non-pharmaceutical measures to include: the use of facemasks, handwashing, physical distancing and supportive management of confirmed cases to mitigate the impact of the disease.
Ihekweazu said that the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19, Federal Ministry of Health, NCDC and partner organisations within the country, would run activities for WMW.
He listed such activities to include: awareness campaigns in communities and media features nationwide to sensitise Nigerians on the importance of wearing facemasks to slow down the spread of COVID-19.
Ihekweazu further said that the campaign on social media would also feature the hashtags #MaskOnNigeria, #MaskingForAFriend and #TakeResponsibility.
The director-general said: “Studies have shown that the correct use of facemasks is critical to reducing the risk of COVID-19 infection.
“The WMW movement encourages people and businesses around the world to rally behind the importance of wearing a facemask properly, not only during WMW, but daily until a vaccine that can prevent the infection is readily accessible to all citizens.”
Ihekweazu emphasised that the use of masks was a key component of Infection, Prevention and Control (IPC) procedures in medical and non-medical settings.
“Given the widespread community transmission of COVID-19, strict adherence to the use of masks in public spaces, particularly, where physical distancing may not be practical, can help slow the spread of the virus.
“Only strong partnerships could fight the pandemic.
“The WMW is a timely campaign that shows what can be achieved when governments, private sectors and individuals come together to push a simple yet important action by reinforcing the need of wearing a facemask.
“We are prioritising IPC on the global agenda, demonstrating the role that everyone has to play, protecting each other, saving lives and slowing the spread of COVID-19 globally,” he said.
Ihekweazu said that NCDC, as part of its efforts to strengthen IPC in health facilities, would continue to prioritise the training of health workers and timely supply of Personal Protective Equipment including, facemasks to state facilities.
He said that NCDC would continue to provide periodic advisories on facemask usage, including the making and care of reusable cloth masks.
