COVID-19: Ganduje requests for more testing centers in Kano

Governor Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State has appealed to the Nigerian Center for Disease Control, NCDC, to help his state with enough testing centers for COVID-19.

Ganduje made the appeal when he was paid a visit by the Director-General of the NCDC, Chikwe Ihekweazu, in Kano on Monday.

The governor also pointed out that the case with the virus in the state is increasing and through community transmission.

“All the index cases we have are within the metropolitan local governments. We can, therefore, say, community transmission is not there. So it could be true to say we need more testing Centres.

“There is a need to increase our capacity for testing our suspected cases. At the same time, we also need more collection centres.

“Being the most populous state in the country among other factors, are reasons for the high numbers we are recording,” the governor said.

He added that the disease which is new informed the state's decision to create new laws part of which saw the deportation of Almajiri children.

“That is why we are coming up with Kano State Infectious Diseases Regulation 2020 to take care of those new public behaviours,” he added.

The NCDC DG, Chikwe Ihekweazu commended the effort of the Kano State Government as he pledged that the agency will continue to render support to the state in its fight against COVID-19.

“We appreciate your good support and contribution to the state’s response team. We have no other option but to support you.

“We are supporting you with all our commitment. It is good to let you know that, we have a collective responsibility to do our very best to make sure that Kano is supported to move forward,” Ihekweazu said.