29th January, 2018
The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Lagos State Chapter, on Monday called for deliberate action and political will in the fight against infectious diseases, including Lassa Fever.
The State Chairman of NMA, Dr Olumuyiwa Odusote and the Secretary, Dr Sunday Luro, said in a statement that the current outbreak of Lassa fever was “a reflection of the low level of preparedness to handle infectious diseases.
“The frequency of the outbreak of Lassa fever, a disease caused by the Lassa Fever Virus, which is endemic in Nigeria and other parts of West Africa sub-region, gives credence to the deplorable state of healthcare delivery in the region.
“This calls for deliberate action and political will, “ the duo said in the statement.
They urged both the Federal and State Ministries of Health to ensure speedy and full implementation of the National Health Act, 2014.
The NMA leaders also urged the Federal Ministry of Health to invest more in revamping the existing primary healthcare facilities and ensure effective and efficient infection prevention and control measures.
“We appeal to health authorities at all levels to ensure the capacity building of members of staff in their health facilities on standard infection prevention and control measures.
“Also, provision of appropriate Personal Protective Equipment and disinfectant in healthcare facilities,“ they said.
While commiserating with the families of health workers, who died in the current outbreak of Lassa fever, the NMA leaders urged health professionals to take precautionary measures while performing their duties.
They advised health professionals against displaying heroism, especially when the basics required for care were unavailable, including the Personal Protective Equipment and disinfectant.
“This will go a long way to prevent transmission or break the chain of transmission in the healthcare facility setting and prevent avoidable deaths,” NMA officers advised.
Since the beginning of 2018, a total number of 107 suspected Lassa fever cases have been recorded in 10 states: Edo, Ondo, Bauchi, Nasarawa, Ebonyi, Anambra, Benue, Kogi, Imo and Lagos States.
As at Jan. 21, the total number of confirmed cases is 61, with 16 deaths recorded. Ten healthcare workers have been infected in four states (Ebonyi – 7, Nasarawa – 1, Kogi – 1 and Benue – 1) with three deaths in Ebonyi.