The Edo State Government is stepping up its effort to stop the spread of Lassa fever in the state, enlisting the assistance and cooperation of all stakeholders to control the illness and safeguard residents in all communities throughout the Edo State.
In order to support its attempts to contain the disease, the government, through the State’s Ministry of Health, carried out a sensitization campaign in the senatorial districts of Edo Central and Edo North by meeting with patient drug sellers there.
The Ministry of Health’s Incident Manager, Dr. Ekaete Tobi, the State Director of Public Health, Dr. Stephenson Ojeifoh, and the Director of Pharmacy Services, Pharm. Mrs. Osa-Afe Tivere are among those on the delegation for the awareness campaign.
Prof. Obehi Akoria, the Edo State Commissioner for Health, asserts that the sensitization is intended to prevent the virus from spreading further to other areas of the state. She points out that over 95% of the state’s 40 confirmed cases have been reported from the Edo North and Edo Central Senatorial Districts.
Prof. Akoria stated, “The Governor Godwin Obaseki-led state administration remains committed to the health and wellbeing of all citizens and is taking the required measures, including enhancing monitoring and sensitization, among other things, to contain Lassa virus and safeguard Edo people.
“Since January 5, 2023, the Edo State Public Health Emergency Operation Center for Lassa fever has been operational, even as we have persisted in mobilizing state stakeholders, particularly in Edo Central and Edo North, where we have the majority of confirmed cases of the virus. As we just confirmed one case in Ovia North East local council, which is the lone Lassa fever case recorded in Edo South Senatorial District, the two senatorial districts are responsible for almost 99 percent of all confirmed cases in the state.
According to the health commissioner, the ministry “decided to focus on the patient medicine dealers because they are the first point of contact for patients who may be manifesting the symptoms of Lassa fever and should be told to always refer such patients to the nearest health facility such as the Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital for Lassa fever screening, where everything medications concerning Lassa fever treatment have been provided by the government for free.”
We also provided patient medicine suppliers with information on certain symptoms to look out for when caring for these patients who may have Lassa fever.