The Nigerian Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has noted that it is aware of the breakthrough in the UK-funded clinical trial of a drug “Dexamethasone” for the treatment of COVID-19.
A drug known as Dexamethasone has been announced by the United Kingdom as a possible treatment to reduce the risk of death among COVID-19 patients, who require oxygen or mechanical ventilation.
The NCDC reacting to this new discovery via Twitter advised Nigerians that the Nigerian government has not validated and approved any treatment for COVID-19 and neither has the drug been validated by the World Health Organization (WHO).
It said: “The NCDC is aware of recent outcomes from a UK-Government funded clinical trial for COVID-19.
“The results support the use of Dexamethsaone as a possible treatment to reduce the risk of death among COVID-19 patients, who require oxygen or mechanical ventilation.
“Please note that the Government of Nigeria has not validated or approved any treatment for COVID-19. In addition, the use of Dexamethasone for COVID-19 treatment has not been validated by WHO.
“We are aware of ongoing clinical trials conducted by scientists in the UK and will work with our sister agencies to evaluate this emerging data on the use of Dexamethasone.
“We will inform the general public on outcomes following scientific review and validation.”
