The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), has donated a total of 435 hospitals and clinics to the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 to combat the coronavirus pandemic.
Chairman of Presidential Task Force (PTF) and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, while receiving the donation expressed appreciation to the Bishops’ Conference for making their medical facilities and clinics at the disposal of the Task Force.
He thanked the Conference for the donation and described the gesture as not only timely but necessary as it would assist medical practitioners in their efforts to bring the pandemic to a standstill in the country.
The SGF particularly commended the Conference for the donation in view of the spread of the health facilities which are found in several locations across the country, and would provide the required assistance to various state governments to leverage on.
‘‘We will continue to work with all faith-based organisations, civil society groups and all men of goodwill interested in helping out at this time of need,’’ he said.
Speaking earlier on behalf of the President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria, Most Rev. Augustine Obiora Akubeze, the Archbishop of Abuja Arch Diocese, Archbishop Ignatius Kaigama, informed the SGF that the conference was with the PTF in prayers and thanked the federal government for setting up the Presidential Task Force with the SGF as its chairman.
The Archbishop commended PTF for various steps it had taken with its marshal plans to curtail further spread of the disease in the country.
He stated that the Conference was donating its hospitals and clinics for use by the PTF as solidarity as well as expression of goodwill.
The Conference promised to corporate fully with all decisions of government on COVID-19 so as to curtail the spread of the pandemic.
