A national survey of hospital readiness during the COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria
Dimie Ogoina, Mahmood Dalhat, Abisoye Oyeyemi, Ogochukwu Okoye, Vivian Kwaghe, Z G Habib, Uche Unigwe, Michael Iroezindu, Musa A. Garbati, Stella Rotifa, Olukemi Adekanmbi, Garba Iliyasu, Farouq Muhammad Dayyab, Sanusi Ibrahim, Ibrahim Musa Kida, Adamu Adamu, Datonye Alasia, Sati Klein Awang, John Oghenevwirhe Ohaju-Obodo, Rabi Usman, Yahaya Mohammed, Ayanfe Omololu, Ekaete Tobin, Okogbenin Sylvanus, Danny Asogun, Iraoyah Kelly, Bala Waziri, Aliyu Mamman Na’uzo, Yusuf Bara Jibrin, Abdulrazaq G. Habib
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: The COVID-19 pandemic continues to overwhelm health systems across the globe. We aimed to assess the readiness of hospitals in Nigeria to respond to the COVID-19 outbreak. METHOD: Between April and October 2020, hospital representatives completed a modified World Health Organisation (WHO) COVID-19 hospital readiness checklist consisting of 13 components and 124 indicators. Readiness scores were classified as adequate (score ≥80%), moderate (score 50-79.9%) and not ready (score <50%). RESULTS: Among 20 (17 tertiary and three secondary) hospitals from all six geopolitical zones of Nigeria, readiness score ranged from 28.2% to 88.7% (median 68.4%), and only three (15%) hospitals had adequate readiness. There was a median of 15 isolation beds, four ICU beds and four ventilators per hospital, but over 45% of hospitals established isolation facilities and procured ventilators after the onset of COVID-19. Of the 13 readiness components, the lowest readiness scores were reported for surge capacity (61.1%), human resources (59.1%), staff welfare (50%) and availability of critical items (47.7%). CONCLUSION: Most hospitals in Nigeria were not adequately prepared to respond to the COVID-19 outbreak. Current efforts to strengthen hospital preparedness should prioritize challenges related to surge capacity, critical care for COVID-19 patients, and staff welfare and protection.