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The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) acknowledged Dexamethsaone has not been validated to be used in the treatment of COVID-19 patients.

The drug, which scientists in the UK have hailed as a significant breakthrough, is a broadly used low-dose steroids, discovered to significantly reduce the danger of dying from COVID-19.

In response to preliminary results by researchers from Oxford University, the drug when administered to more than 2,000 severely ill COVID-19 patients, reduced deaths by 35 percent amongst those that may only breathe with the help of a ventilator and by one-fifth in other patients receiving oxygen only.

It had no direct benefit to COVID-19 patients who didn’t require the use of a respirator.

The NCDC, in a statement in Abuja, said: “The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) is aware of recent outcomes from a UK-Government funded clinical trial for COVID-19.

“The results support the use of Dexamethsaone as a possible treatment to reduce the risk of death among COVID-19 patients, who require oxygen or mechanical ventilation.

“Please note that the Government of Nigeria has not validated or approved any treatment for COVID-19. In addition, the use of Dexamethasone for COVID-19 treatment has not been validated by WHO.

“We are aware of ongoing clinical trials conducted by scientists in the UK and will work with our sister agencies to evaluate this emerging data on the use of Dexamethasone.

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‘We will inform the general public on outcomes following scientific review and validation.”

The drug is already being used to reduce inflammation in a range of other conditions, including arthritis, asthma and some skin conditions.