NIGERIAN CENTRE FOR DISEASE CONTROL (NCDC) AND THE REGULATIONS OF WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION (WHO) PROTOCOL: A COMPARATIVE CRITIQUE

Coronaviruses are a large group of viruses that affect both humans and animals, causingrespiratory problems in humans and gastrointestinal problems in animals. This study is aimedat accessing the COVID-19 protocols set out by the World Health Organization and theircompliance in Nigeria and the role played by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control incontaining the spread of the deadly virus. A thematic method was adopted to identify themajor COVID-19 safety protocols and their compliance in Nigeria. The researchers, however,found out that: academic activities in both public and private schools are still on indefinitesuspension, which is one major step in containing the virus, while businessmen and womendefied safety measures in their environment; Even after more than four months of raisingawareness by the NCDC, the Ministry of Health, and other stakeholders, some people inNigeria continue to doubt the existence of coronavirus. The health system before the outbreakof COVID-19 was in bad shape, worse still, in a comatose state. Inadequate supplies oftesting kits and personal protective equipment, as well as the concentration of testing centersin cities or regions, have hampered testing capacity. Politicians and their supporters were stillorganizing party gatherings, meetings, and attending social events in stark disobedience tosafety guidelines. Based on the above, the researchers recommended that schools begradually reopened in phases to enable final or exiting students in primary, secondary, andtertiary institutions to write their terminal examinations. There is a need to further sensitizethe people at the grassroots through the use of local or traditional leaders and institutions. Thegovernment should strive to lead from all angles, including the installation of basic healthfacilities in hospitals and the provision of drugs. The Nigerian government should alsocollaborate with both national and international organizations to ensure an adequate andconsistent supply of testing kits. People should not be fooled by politicians who break WHOrules when they set up slaughterhouses, meat markets, and other places where people buyfood.