*Sequel to the confirmation of Nigeria鈥檚 first COVID-19 case in February 2020, NCDC immediately expanded its Connect Centre capacity to meet the increasing need for information by Nigerians 鈹�Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu, Director-General of Nigeria Centre for Disease Control

Alexander Davis | 绿帽献妻

As a measure to assist the public in accessing verified information on Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and other infectious diseases in the country, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) and Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) have activated a short code 鈥� 鈥�6232鈥� for verified information.

Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu, Director-General of NCDC, who stated this Wednesday, February 3, in Abuja, FCT, disclosed the short code is toll-free and easy-to-remember.

The NCDC Chief said the number was introduced for the public to contact the agency鈥檚 Connect Centre and access verified information on COVID-19 and other infectious diseases.

This means that all calls to NCDC through 鈥�6232鈥� are free of charge, Ihekweazu said.

According to him, call lines are expanded to receive multiple calls simultaneously.

He stated that between March and December 2020, the NCDC Connect Centre had received over 580,000 COVID-19-related phone calls.

The Director-General noted: 鈥淭his is to ensure that Nigerians have access to verified information on infectious diseases.

鈥淔ollowing the confirmation of Nigeria鈥檚 first COVID-19 case in February 2020, NCDC immediately expanded its Connect Centre capacity to meet the increasing need for information by Nigerians.

鈥淭he short code number 鈥�6232鈥� will be used alongside the existing toll-free number 鈥� 鈥�0800 9700 0010鈥�, with a gradual phase-out of the existing toll free number.鈥�

Ihekweazu commended the Nigerian Communications Commission and its partners at the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change, GAVI, UNICEF, University of Maryland Baltimore (UMB), Georgetown University, Resolve to Save Lives and Interra Networks for their support.

He added: 鈥淎dditionally, we recognise and thank mobile network providers in Nigeria 鈥� Globacom, MTN, Airtel, 9mobile, who continued to support our efforts in communicating with Nigerians.鈥�

He, however, urged Nigerians to use the short code 鈥榬esponsibly鈥� in accessing verified information on COVID-19 and other infectious diseases.

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