COVID-19: Lagos speaks on use of Chloroquine for treatment

LAGOS, Nigeria – The Lagos State Government will be conducting clinical trial on the effectiveness of chloroquine in the prevention or management of COVID-19 infection, the Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi has said. 

Abayomi who disclosed this today while giving updates on COVID-19 in Lagos noted that that the clinical trial is initiated against the fast spreading news that chloroquine could be effective in preventing and managing COVID-19. 

The Commissioner however said that the use of chloroquine drug, has not yet not been ascertained as an effective treatment of coronavirus disease adding that the State is still watching the global research space to clearly define the efficiency of the drug in the control of the diseases.

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Said he, “We do not have any hard evidence that chloroquine is effective in preventing or managing COVID-19. We are watching the global research space to clearly define its efficiency in COVID-19”. 

Abayomi noted that chloroquine has significant side effects and should not be used without medical supervision as it may cause more harm than good.
 
He advised citizens seek to the advice of a physician and await the directive of the Ministry of Health on the use of chloroquine and not use it without medical supervision.

The Commissioner however urged the public to not to panic but strictly abide by the instructions of the government as the Government remains committed to the fight against the spread of the virus.

Abayomi appealed to citizens not to take advantage of the present situation on COVID-19 to hike or hoard domestic consumables and enrich themselves. He however urged members of the public to continue to be their brother’s keeper and join hands with government to curtail the spread of the virus.

“It is condemnable to use this situation to enrich yourselves by hoarding or hiking the prices of domestic consumables for profiteering. We should be responsible citizens in the quest to make Lagos disease free”, he said.