ECOWAS orders ventilators, diagnostic kits, PPE and other health supplies to help member states fight the Coronavirus pandemic

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) says it has ordered health materials and drugs to be donated to its 15-member states, as measures geared towards curbing the Coronavirus pandemic in the region.

The President of the ECOWAS Commission, Mr. Jean Claude Kassi Brou, disclosed this in a communique issued on Tuesday, April 7, in Abuja. He added that the Commission will partner with each member states to ward off the scourge of covid-19.

The Commission stated that its West African Health Organization (WAHO) has among other things, bought and disbursed the following to its members: 30,500 diagnostic test kits, 10,000 personal protective equipment, 740,000 prescription tablets (Chloroquine and Azithromycin).

Furthermore, it said that orders have already been placed for: 240,000 diagnostic kits, 240,000 extraction kits, 250,000 viral sample transport equipment, 285,100 personal protective equipment, 268,100 masks; 120 ventilators and litres of alcohol gel and disinfectants.

ECOWAS also lauded and urged all member countries to sustain the tempo in the fight against covid-19.

“In the light of the spread of the pandemic, ECOWAS Commission reaffirms its solidarity with member states and welcomes all the measures already taken to contain the spread of the pandemic and care for the sick,” the communique stated.

Mr. Jean Claude Kassi Brou said that ECOWAS has continued to closely monitor the evolution of the coronavirus pandemic in the world and particularly in West Africa, stressing that as of April 5, 2020, the 15-member states are affected by the pandemic with 1,739 confirmed cases of contamination, 55 deaths and 328 persons who have fully recovered.

The president, however, noted that approximately 95 per cent of deaths are patients with comorbid conditions.

Brou said in light of the spread of the pandemic, ECOWAS Commission reaffirmed its solidarity with member states and welcomes all the measures already taken to contain the spread of the pandemic and care for the sick.