The Nigerian Red Cross Society (NRCS) has cautioned Nigerians against stigmatising Chinese nationals resident in the country over the outbreak of Coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).
Mr Andronicus Adeyemo, National Assistant Secretary-General of NRCS,
gave the caution at a training held on Wednesday in Lagos.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event was tagged, ‘Prevention of Lassa Fever and Covid-19: Preparedness for Red Cross Volunteers and Staff.’
The training was aimed at sensitising the society’s members on the need for public enlightenment campaigns against the spread of the viruses through active social mobilisation.
Adeyemo cautioned members not to partake in spreading rumours but to rather concentrate on public enlightenment campaigns on preventive measures against the viruses.
“We have a huge Chinese population in Lagos; they operate many businesses in Nigeria.
“They run restaurants, they are in construction, the entertainment industry; they are in and out of various countries.
“Nobody has been infected in Nigeria and no one from the Chinese community has been infected.
“What is paramount is to continue practising handwashing and other preventive measures; ash can be used to clean hands when soap and water are not available,” he said.
He commended the society’s Lagos office for its initiative of preparing the Red Cross members to be better equipped to manage, should the viruses spread to Lagos State.
Adeyemo, however, charged the NRCS members to ensure that they sensitise their various communities about the viruses at the divisional levels.
Also, Mrs Taiwo Ogunyemi, Health Education Officer, Lagos State Ministry of Health, called for more awareness at the divisional levels.
“Lassa Fever and Covid-19 is a public health issue, so all hands must be on deck to prevent its spread.
“We need to improve on our personal and environmental hygiene with a focus on handwashing with soap and water,” she said.