Derangements of Liver Enzymes in a Study of 201 COVID‑19 Patients in Abuja, Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory

Background: Several studies reveal abnormalities in liver function tests of COVID-19 patients. However, there are little data on African patients. Aim: This study aimed to evaluate liver function tests (LFT) in severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‑CoV‑2) infected patients admitted in Asokoro COVID‑19 Isolation and Treatment Centre in Abuja, Nigeria. Patients, Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective study of 201 laboratory‑confirmed SARS‑CoV‑2‑infected patients hospitalized in Asokoro District Hospital COVID‑19 Isolation and Treatment Centre between April 10 and July 31, 2020. Demographic, clinical, and laboratory data were obtained, and the outcome measure was LFT abnormalities at presentation. Statistical analysis was done using IBM SPSS Version 24, with P < 0.05 considered statistically significant. Results: Patient median age was 39.3 years(IQR: 26–52); 65.7% were males and 33.8% were health workers. Approximately 49.2% of patients were overweight or obese. Hypertension (22.9%) and diabetes mellitus(7.5%) were the most common comorbidities and only 1% had a known history of liver disease. Abnormal LFTs were observed in 53% of patients(n = 106), most frequently elevated direct bilirubin (78.3%) and alanine aminotransferase (38.7%). Comorbidities were not found significantly associated with LFT abnormalities. Females (odds ratio [OR] = 0.367 P = 0.004 confidence interval [CI] 0.186–0.724) and patients aged 20–29 years (OR = 0.067 P = 0.043 [CI] 0.005–0.916) were found less likely to have abnormal LFTs. Conclusion: Regardless of clinical status at presentation, about half of SARS‑CoV‑2 patients admitted at the Asokoro Isolation and Treatment Centre in Abuja had abnormal LFT results. It is therefore recommended that LFT is included as a part of baseline investigations during the management of COVID‑19 for improved outcomes

Moving the Goal Post: Sustainability and the Global Goals -Which Way Nigeria?

Abstract It has been about a year since the sustainable development goals came into effect, and countries have had to adopt the sustainability agenda. Leaving the millennium development goals and their emphasis behind to chart a new course focusing on integrating and strengthening health systems would require innovative and strategic thinking at the country and global level, in addition to harnessing the potential for multiple inter-sectoral collaborations for success. Despite the adoption of the sustainability agenda post-2015, the achievements of the millennium development goals must still be leveraged and lessons learnt from both its successes and failures for the sustainable development goals to maximize their potential and result in positive global health outcomes. In the context of sub-Saharan Africa, several strengths, weaknesses and opportunities have been highlighted as either stepping stones or possible obstacles to the attainment of the sustainable development goals on the continent in general and Nigeria in particular. The outlook is optimistic but will call upon the galvanizing of partnerships and collaborations in order to build, strengthen and integrate background health systems for people, the planet and for prosperity. This paper is therefore a general reflection which aims at emphasizing Nigeria and Africa's challenges with achieving the millennium development goals and delineating the prospects which exist for achieving the sustainable development goals