World Health Organization (WHO) has denied ranking Nigeria Fourth world best in responding to Covid-19 pandemic.
Recall that TheNewsBeam reported that WHO ranked Nigeria, fourth-best in the world for covid-19 response at an event to mark the arrival of the first consignment of 177,600 doses of the Johnson and Johnson (J&J) COVID-19 vaccine on Thursday, August 12, 2021.
However, the World Health Organization (WHO) Country Representative, Dr Walter Kazadi Mulombo, has made clarification about his statement in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), during the commencement of Nigeria’s second phase of the COVID-19 vaccines programme, on Monday, 16 August, 2021 at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), in Jabi, Abuja.
The Organization’s country representative clarified that WHO had not ranked countries on the basis of their response to the COVID-19 pandemic, noting that he was only commending Nigeria for mounting one of the most effective responses to COVID-19, by putting in place courageous measures and helping to avert the spread that was predicted.
According to him, “Some independent media analysis had previously presented a ranking for top 10 countries, with Nigeria appearing on 4th position. It should be noted, however, that this is not a WHO ranking.”
NAN recalls that the Global Normalcy Index ranked Nigeria in fourth place out of 50 countries on the Economist’s Global Normalcy Index.
He added that while the government deserved commendation, Nigerians too deserved praise for cooperating with the Federal Government throughout the difficult times.
“As I always mentioned at different fora, vaccines are a critical tool in the battle against COVID-19.
“These vaccines are safe and effective and will be the game- changer: but for the foreseeable future, we must continue wearing masks, physical distance and avoid crowds.
“I will like to remind everyone, that most countries, including Nigeria, are currently experiencing the third wave of COVID-19 outbreaks,” he said.
NAN
