Preparedness and response of a tertiary hospital to the COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria: Challenges, opportunities and lessons

Abstract

Africa was the last continent to be affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Much of the discourse on Africa s response captured in scientific journals revolves around nations, public health agencies and organizations, but little is documented about how individual healthcare facilities have fared. This article reports the challenges faced in a tertiary hospital in Nigeria, including space constraints, diagnostic challenges, shortages in personal protective equipment and health worker infections. The opportunities and strengths that aided the response are also highlighted. The lessons learned will be useful to similar facilities. More information about health facility response at various levels is needed to comprehensively assess Africa s response to the pandemic.