The Edo State Government has revealed plans to boost a holding center in the Edo North Senatorial District to help the state’s response to Lassa fever.
During an on-site examination of the isolation facilities at the Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital, in the Esan Central Local Government Area of Edo State, the Commissioner for Health for Edo State, Prof. Obehi Akoria, revealed this.
Prof. Reuben Eifediyi, Acting Chief Medical Director, ISTH, guided the Commissioner around the facilities.
Prof. Akoria expressed pleasure with the facilities and stated that the state has the resources (facilities and personnel) to effectively manage the Lassa fever in the state. She also urged residents and other stakeholders to work together.
According to her, “The ISTH isolation center is excellent. With an addition for milder and moderate cases, there is a ward for very ill patients. An expansion was recently activated and repurposed to expand the holding capacity. Nearly 100 patients can now be served by the facility.
“The facility is clean and spacious with effective infection prevention and control methods. We are collaborating with the institution’s management to find ways to resolve the issues with water and power supply. They can treat patients with co-morbidities and even pregnant women because they have adequate equipment and can offer specialized care. The clinic offers a variety of specialists, including pediatricians, ophthalmologists, doctors, and obstetricians among others.”
The Commissioner stated that the Edo State Government would continue to support the hospital with regular IPC supplies for the care of patients at the Lassa fever isolation center, assuring the public of the government’s continuous support for the federal government-owned healthcare facility. For the facility, we also bought and installed a number of dialysis units.
“In an effort to alleviate patients’ resistance to visiting treatment facilities, the Heads of Local Government recently also gave financial support to impoverished patients.
By immediately opening a holding center in the Edo North senatorial zone, we plan to step up the state reaction.
She continued, “The center is handling the outbreak properly. Case management has been further enhanced by adding more wards for patient care. We thank ISTH management for doing it. Healthcare experts that are competent, experienced, and dedicated are on the scene to manage the wide range of clinical scenarios related to Lassa fever.