5′ The Federal Government has explained the criteria that must be met by COVID-19 patients and their families before home treatment could be granted.
The Federal Ministry of Health made this known through its Director of Hospital Services, Dr Adebimpe Adebiyi, in its response to The PUNCH’s inquiries.
Adebiyi said COVID-19 patients with hypertension, diabetes among others, would not be granted home care.
She stated COVID-19 positive patients would not be treated in homes where there were people with underlying conditions such as diabetes and hypertension.
The director said, “Home-based treatment will be based on individual cases who meet the stringent criteria for such care. This emphasises the ability to self-isolate in a single room with convenience for that individual, absence of co-morbidities such as hypertension and diabetes. In addition, there should not be any person in the household with co-morbidities.
“The state should also make available health care workers to monitor the patients’ treatment at home. Meanwhile, the Federal Ministry of Health and her agencies including the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency and the NCDC as well as relevant development partners are exploring various available options for expansion of supervised isolation.
“Discussions are at an advanced stage with high burden states for decentralisation of isolation and case management to the community through the establishment of community support centres which will be state-led and community-driven in line with approved guidelines and infection prevention and control protocols.”
The Punch.
