FG admits failure over lassa fever outbreak in Ebonyi state
Federal government has admitted that the outbreak of monkey pox, yellow fever and meningitis were issues that diverted her interest towards operationalizing the virology centre in Abakaliki. It could be recalled that Ebonyi state government spend over 250 million naira to build the virology centre and was handed over to federal government in 2016. This […]
Federal government has admitted that the outbreak of monkey pox, yellow fever and meningitis were issues that diverted her interest towards operationalizing the virology centre in Abakaliki.
It could be recalled that Ebonyi state government spend over 250 million naira to build the virology centre and was handed over to federal government in 2016.
This came at a time when 3 out of the 9 confirmed positive cases admitted for treatment have been discharged and reunited with their families.
This was made known when Minister of Health, Prof Isaac Adewole visited the state to strategies over eliminating the virus which resurfaced two weeks ago in the state and had killed 4 persons.
Governor of Ebonyi state, Engr. David Umahi, to arrest the fresh outbreak of lassa fever in the state and inspected the virology centre at FETHA 2, Abakaliki.
Prof Adewole who also paid courtesy visit to the State Governor, Engr. David Umahi at the government house before inspecting the virology centre at FETHA 2 Abakaliki, assured the state and other hit by the dreaded disease of her commitment towards eliminating lassa fever in Nigeria.
He noted that Ebonyi, Ondo and Kogi were the three major states hit by Lassa fever virus since it outbreak this January.
"When it occurred, we quickly dispatch rapid response team to Ebonyi, we also dispatch to to Ondo, and Kogi states, these were 3 major states hit by lassa fever to access the outbreak.
"So we are committed over eliminating the disease in Nigeria but it is unfortunate, you handed over the laboratory (centre) to us but because of few other things, we did not respond appropriately with the operationalization of the centre.
"This is because we had other challenges in the country, we had monkey pox, we had meningitis and yellow fever in some states like Zamfara, Kogi and Kwara," he said.
The minister explained that lassa fever is endemic in Nigeria and dangerous when health workers become affected with the virus. "So always wear protective wears while treating patients.
"Embark on public awareness programme, so that people we learn how best to protect their food, keep environment clean and if possible kill the rat," he said.
However, the state governor represented by the deputy governor, Dr Kelechi Igwe appealed to the federal government to send manpower, and appropriate fund for the running of the centre.
" we are not happy because it is quite unfortunate that since we handover the virology centre, the federal government has not done anything to sustain the centre," he said.
In an interview with newsmen the Chief Medical Director of the Federal Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki (FETHA) Dr. Emaka Ogah said the centre is 70 percent functional.
There was one minute silence observed to honour those 4 killed by Lassa fever in the state.