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ODSG RE-ASSURES COMMITMENT ON LASSA FEVER - Adegbenro




The Ondo State Government has reinstated commitment of the present administration in the state at battle ready to tackle Lassa Fever outbreak headlong as it is working assiduously to put situation under control.

The State commissioner for health, Dr Wahab Adegbenro made this statement at the meeting of the State Epidemic Preparedness and Response Committee which held in Akure, Ondo State capital, that the extended committee which is multi sectoral in nature was called following the recent upsurge in the Lassa Fever outbreak in the state which in his words, calls for concern and action. 



He posits that the State has not been sleeping over the issue, as the fatality rate in the month of January alone is alarming, hence the need for stakeholders to come together to profer lasting solution to the issue,and tackle the situation headlong, the Health Commissioner said there is serious partnership between the State and the Treatment Center, Federal Medical Center Owo, on the treatment of patients.



Dr Adegbenro disclosed that the government has given FMC  Beds, Personal Protective Equipments (PPE), making arrangement for a 100KVA Generator to power the Incidence Lab, Chemistry Analyser, Dialysis machine and some other consumables that will be ready in the  next one week.





The health commissioner noted that  lots of sensitisation is on about Lassa Fever across the state, which he described as a purely environmental issue, which can be resolved through proper environmental management, hygienic food processing procedures and stoppage of harmful habits that aid the spread of the Lassa virus. 


The  Commissioner on behalf of the state government thanked FMC Owo for their commitment in the battle against Lassa, promising that they will be compensated in due course. 


He also thanked Developments Partners and other stakeholders for their commitment, while urging  them to do whatever they want to do urgently as the period is a trying one for the state. 


In his situation report, the State Epidemiologist, Dr Stephen Fagbemi disclosed that the outbreak has been on, consistently in the last three years and had not been totally put at bay because of the environmental management attitude of residents of the state. 


The outbreak last year in his words, was thought to be the worst but the current one which started October last year is overwhelming.  Saying the state is leading nationally with the statistics that he made available to stakeholders  for January 2020 alone and this in his words, have both tourism and economic effect on the state. 


Dr Fagbemi did a breakdown of the data available on Local Government basis saying the trend is worrisome and called for urgent intervention. 


He said the upsurge in Akure is a very serious concern, as urgent measures must be taken to nip the tide in the bud, otherwise the situation will be difficult to control because it is a city. 


He added that active case search and surveillance is on,to fish out cases but improper house numbering, inadequate funding and insecurity are very serious challenges inhibiting effective tackling of Lassa Fever. 


Noting that poor environmental management and waste disposal attitudes misconception and improper burial practices were identified as factors making it difficult to get rid of the scourge. 


Corroborating the Epidemiologist, Dr Yaya Disu of the  National Center for Disease Control said animal and human interface, poor waste management, poor food processing habits,misconception, inadequate resource for response and weak contact tracing are some factors that are responsible for the Lassa Fever upsurge. 


Dr Disu said increase in the number of LGAs reporting confirmed cases, persistent reporting of cases throughout the year, spread of the outbreak to urban LGAs,  increase in mortality rate and its attendant economic implication if not properly and urgently handled, could lead to a breakdown of the health system. 



Talking about effective case management and challenges on its way,  Dr Chuks Abejaga of the Federal Medical Center Owo said the Federal Medical Center Owo is over whelmed and needs urgent assistance to be able to effectively manage Lassa patients. 


Urgent needs of FMC Owo as enumerated by Dr Chuks Abejaga include: beefing up of security, improved motivation, provision of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for infection prevention control, provision of reagents, Chemistry Analyser, Dialysis Machine and100 KVA Generator to power the incidence Lab. 


Earlier in his Welcome Address, the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Health ,Dr Dipo Durojaye said the issue of Lassa Fever requires a multi sectorial approach and collaborative effort of stakeholders to stem the tide hence the need for a serious and purpose full deliberation. 


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