The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has said that while there is no known vaccine for the Novel Coronavirus disease (COVID-19), some trials have shown promising results in laboratory studies.
Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu, Director-General of NCDC, told the News Agency of Nigeria(NAN), on Sunday in Abuja that it takes time to obtain accurate results from such clinical trials.
He said: “Some of the trials have shown promising results in laboratory studies but have not yet been proven in humans.
“The best option, for now, is to avoid self-medication as it may lead to complications and death.”
Ihekweazu said that there were currently no approved treatments or preventative therapeutic strategies.
“Many clinical studies have been registered with the intention of discovering effective treatments.
“COVID-19 has rapidly developed into a worldwide pandemic with a significant health and economic burden,” he stressed.
The NCDC boss said that since there was currently no specific treatment for the COVID-19 pandemic, people with COVID-19 infection can benefit from supportive care.
“They can be managed to recover if symptoms are reported early, particularly for people with underlying health conditions,” he said.
Ihekweazu urged all healthcare workers to continue to observe standard precautions, including the use of personal protective equipment when caring for patients known or suspected of COVID-19.
He said care and prevention were best solutions until the World Health Organisation(WHO), provides a clear, definitive evidence that ongoing clinical trials were safe and effective for the management of COVID-19.
Ihekweazu said that NCDC will continue to inform Nigerians on the progress of clinical trials on the management of pandemic and provide them with facts to protect their health
