- COVID-19 IN NIGERIA: A REVIEW OF LITERATURE
Introduction
On February 27, 2020, it was confirmed that COVID-19 was found in an individual in Lagos, Nigeria. This was the first case to be found. The federal government of Nigeria responded swiftly, issuing an order prohibiting any movement in Nigeria’s most populous city, Lagos, Ogun State and Abuja (FCT). Since the index case, the Nigerian economy has been in chaos. The World Health Organization (WHO) made the announcement that there was a pandemic on March 11, 2020, thirteen days after the virus had been introduced into Nigeria from Italy. The relentless spread of the virus locally and worldwide required a swift government response that included limiting work and restricting movement, closing educational institutions, preventing big gatherings, and providing palliatives to the vulnerable. Restrictions on mobility, closures of borders, and lockdowns triggered the most severe global economic downturn since the Great Depression. The pandemic impacted national health care systems, the entertainment industry, aviation, hospitality, education, the food industry, and commerce (Ozili & Arun 2020).
The outbreak highlighted Nigeria’s deplorable health infrastructure and raised questions about the nation’s health policies, which most view as more hypothetical than operational because of a discrepancy between policy formation and policy implementation. This exemplifies the proverb that health is riches. It is part of the government’s primary responsibilities to provide its citizens with high-quality and efficient healthcare, as only a healthy people can support sustainable economic growth (Usman, 2019). The public health system in Nigeria suffers from a lack of infrastructure, an ineffective national health insurance program, incompetent medical staff, subpar primary healthcare facilities, and insufficient emergency services. The high infant and maternal mortality rates in the nation have been linked to the aforementioned problems (Muhammad et al 2017).
Concept of Pandemic
A pandemic in the opinion of Harris (2000) is an epidemic that spreads globally or over a large area, transcends international borders, and affects a large number of people (Harris, 2000). In other words, it is the simultaneous occurrence of an infectious disease outbreak in a country or across one or more continents (Honigsbaum, 2009These pandemics are infamous for their devastating effects on world health, security, and the economy. Pandemics result in a significant death toll and represent an existential threat to humanity.
Overview of the Corona Virus
Corona Virus disease (COVID-19) is an infectious respiratory illness discovered in Wuhan, China during an epidemic investigation (CDC, 2020). Similarly, many medical experts assume that the new coronavirus strain originated in bats or pangolins. Currently, there is no cure for COVID-19, and many scientists feel that the immune system’s power influences the healing process (Boseley, Devlin, & Belam, 2020). Infection with COVID-19 results in muscle pain, fever, shortness of breath, a runny nose, headaches, and sore throat (CDC, 2020). COVID-19 has a 14-day incubation period, with the onset of symptoms occurring between 2 and 14 days after exposure. The WHO maintains that older persons and those with diabetes, cancer, chronic respiratory disease, and cardiovascular disease are more likely to die from COVID-19 infection.
Because of global concern over COVID-19, many studies have been undertaken. Ataguba (2020) noted that the pandemic would be severe in Africa due to its inadequate health infrastructure, reliant economy, and incompetent governance. The findings of a study by Ozili (2020) reveal that the current financial crash in Nigeria is the result of a combination of falling oil prices, on which the country is dependent, and the country’s mounting debt problem since 2015, with inflation remaining in double digits and the naira under pressure. Lastly, Nigeria’s health system capability is terrible.
According to a study by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) (2020), industrialized nations are capable of enforcing the necessary lockdowns to contain the outbreak and assist their population and the most vulnerable members of society. Barnet-Horwell and Mobarak (2020) affirm, noting that poor nations cannot withstand the financial burden of lockdowns because their population’ wages depend on their ability to trade. The UNDP (2020) noted further that many business owners in Nigeria, particularly informal ones, relied on family assistance and personal resources to survive as the majority of workers were laid off. A study by Lucas (2020) on the consequences of COVID-19 in middle-income nations predicts that it will cause more economic damage than previous pandemics.
According to findings from a study by Akunna (2020), some people, particularly adults, in Kwara state, Nigeria, have their own corona virus preventative remedies, with lemon, ginger, and turmeric being the most popular ones. Although prevalent around the world, this mentality and scepticism were most pronounced in Africa and developing nations.
According to a survey by Ajibo (2020), some Nigerians found it extremely difficult to survive as a result of transportation and movement restrictions. According to the report, the pandemic increased the cost of personal protective equipment (PPE), criminality, and the unemployment rate. He added that the hardship brought on by the pandemic pushes young people who are hungry and out of work into armed robberies. The study also showed a connection between corrupt activities and the Nigerian health sector’s current bad state. He asserted that politicians frequently siphon, and abuse funds intended to advance healthcare. Notably, hospitals lacked PPE including gloves, face masks, sanitizers, and ventilators that are essential for managing the pandemic. In addition, Nigeria has a very small number of hospitals compared to its population, making them unable to handle illness epidemics. In agreement with this, Ohia et al. (2020) assert that the current Nigerian healthcare system is unable to handle the expanding number of Intensive Care Unit patients (ICU)).
Olapegba et al. (2020) discovered that COVID-19-related misconceptions and conspiracy theories are prevalent among Nigerians. Some thought the virus was a fabricated biological weapon manufactured by the Chinese government to offset international power dynamics, while others thought it was Gods punishment for man’s sins. Based on their findings, they proposed spreading scientifically based evidence.
According to Olusanya and Ahemuefula (2020), the non-consideration of the COVID-19 pandemic during the 2020 budgeting process, which is understandable given that the pandemic came as a shock to the world, is one of the causes for Nigeria’s economic losses. The impact of the pandemic on education was evaluated by Jacob et al. (2020). They contend that the lockdown measures taken in Nigeria in response to the pandemic had a significant negative impact on higher education because they disrupted the academic calendar, caused a teaching gap, forced cancellation of conferences, and resulted in a loss of staff at educational institutions.
According to Adenomon and Maijamaa’s (2020) investigation into the pandemic’s impact on the Nigerian stock exchange market, the epidemic resulted in low stock returns and excessive volatility in stock returns. It is significant to note that the pandemic equally devastated Nigeria’s banking industry. This occurred as a result of borrowers unable to pay back their debts, which also had an impact on banks’ capacity to make money. As a result, banks started to become less willing to lend to customers. Ozili (2020) suggested that Nigeria’s digital economic landscape was weak prior to the COVID-19 outbreak. He believed that a successful digital economy would have helped to spark a resurgence in the economy. For instance, the accessibility of online learning platforms, online shopping, and online health applications would have been beneficial.
Conclusion and Recommendation
The study examined and analysed the body of research on the effects of the Covid-19 epidemic in Nigeria. According to the findings of the study, Nigeria entered an economic crisis due to the drop in oil prices, poor health facilities, and restrictions on vehicular and human movement. The study also revealed that the nation’s health policies are still in need of improvement and fall short of the highest criteria that are generally accepted.
This study argues that stakeholders and regulators should pursue economic policies to increase the economy’s diversification and reduce its dependence on export income from crude oil.
The importance of public-private partnerships in enhancing the national health system’s ability to withstand the present epidemic and future outbreaks cannot be overstated.
Additionally, Nigeria’s digital economy must be reformed to become more resilient and productive.
Developing networks between researchers and policymakers within state ministries of health is necessary in order to improve decision-making that is supported by evidence. The scale and severity of Nigeria’s current economic crisis is a clear indication that the country needed growth and development in order to avoid imminent collapse.
References
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