FG donates drugs to Nassarawa State to checkmate cholera outbreak

The Nigerian Government has donated drugs to the Nassarawa State Government to check the spread of cholera and lassa fever in the State.

Donating the drugs in Lafia at the State Ministry of Health on behalf of the Federal Government, the Chief Consultant Epediomologist in the Federal Ministry of Health, Akin Oyemakinde said that the donation of the drugs was part of the Federal Government’s intervention towards curbing further spread of cholera and lassa fever in Nassarawa State.

Akin Oyemakinde, who led a rapid response and investigation team from the Federal Ministry of Health to the State, explained that they were there for quick intervention, in order to curb further spread of the disease to other parts of the State as well as adjoining States which have been a concern to the federal government.

He also said that the team’s mission was to assess the State’s response to the cholera outbreak to ascertain its level of preparedness towards checking  additional spread of the disease and to as well step up surveillance. Adding, part of the team’s assignment is to support the State to improve its preparedness and response to further cholera outbreaks.

While calling on the State Government to sensitize and mobilise the people particularly local communities on the dangers of cholera, he urged the State Government to intensify surveillance activities, provide better access to good quality water to the people as well as provide information on sanitation, hygiene and food preparation practices.

Also speaking at the occasion, Fatai Oyediran, who is an Assistant Director in the Federal Ministry of Health noted that the Ministry has recently trained about one hundred health personnel including Diseases Surveillance Notification Officers (DSNOs) and Local Immunization Officers (LIOs) specifically on lassa fever detection. He added that the training was aimed at acquainting clinicians and nurses with rapid response techniques as well as increasing surveillance and detection of lassa fever outbreak.

In his remarks, the Nassarawa State Commissioner for Health, Emmanuel Akabe, who received the drugs on behalf of the State Government, while thanking the Federal Government, described the donation as a kind gesture which will serve to reduce cholera and lassa fever infections in the State.

The Health Commissioner disclosed that the Nassarawa State Government is collaborating with a USA-based organisation towards establishing a laboratory for lassa fever and avian influenza detection with a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) already signed.

A report issued by the State Government on the intervention activities indicates that about 306 cholera cases have been recorded so far and 16 confirmed deaths have been reported in the State. It continued that the first case of cholera outbreak in the State was reported in September 2013 and the affected Local Government Areas were Akwanga, Wamba, Lafia, Awe, Obi and Karu.

“The drugs donated by the Federal Government comprised: ringers lactate, dextrose, calcium hypochloride, erythomycin, doxcycline capsule ORS and ribavarin,” it said.