The Benue State Government is committed to delivering a healthcare system that is reliable, dependable, and secure. The state Governor, Rev Fr Hyacinth Alia made this known Thursday when he received a team from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) who met with him at Government House Makurdi during their working visit to the state.
Represented by his Deputy, Barr Sam Ode, Governor who expressed appreciation to the delegation for visiting the state, commended the NCDC for its tireless efforts in ensuring that the people have access to quality healthcare services.
He described the data shared by the Director-General of NCDC on the number of Lassa Fever casualties as alarming, saying it is a wake-up call for the health sector in Benue. “If we must have health security, we need to up our game,” he stated.
Governor Alia who disclosed that funds have already been made available to tackle the Lassa Fever outbreak and other health challenges further assure that the government will not hesitate to increase same when and where there is need.
He therefore assured that the Benue State Government will not hesitate to ensure that all recommendations made by the NCDC together with the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF among other partners, especially the protection of healthcare workers are executed to the latter for better service delivery.
In his remarks, the Country Representative of WHO, Dr. Pavel Ursu, assured that his organisation in collaboration with other partners, will do their best in making sure that all interventions are sequenced and implemented with full technical excellence towards nit just phasing out Lassa Fever but further streghntening the health security system.
On her part, the Health Manager, UNICEF, Fatima Gohar, called on the Benue State Government to make treatment for Lassa Fever free to encourage infected persons to turn them selves in for treatment thereby curtailing the spread.
Earlier while speaking, the Director General, NCDC, Dr. Jide Idris who led the delegation, said they were in the state on an advocacy visit, which became necessary following the outbreak of Lassa Fever, which is being tackled for the past ten weeks.
According to Idris, the NCDC has been tracking the outbreak across the nation and found out that Benue was leading especially as it affects healthcare workers having recorded fourteen casualties with three deaths out of the thirty seven cases across the nation.
Idris further explained that it was based on the above statistics that the NCDC and its partners including WHO and UNICEF among others, resolved to visit various states to gather first hand information with the aim of charting the way forward.
While disclosing that apart from Lassa Fever, the Centre is grappling with ten other deadly diseases including Diphtheria, Measles and Monkey Pox among others, Idris stressed the need to track the diseases in order to identify their sources as well as support those saddled with the responsibility of tracking them especially in the area of logistics.
The Director-General also warned against improper disposal of waste generated from Lassa Fever treatment facilities to prevent rats that are the sole vectors of the disease, from coming into contact with it and infecting others.
He called on the Benue State Government to adopt the Inspection, Prevention and Control (IPC) approach which will go a long way in protecting healthcare providers.
Also present during the event was the State Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr. Paul Ogwuche as well as the Executive Secretary, Benue State Primary Healthcare Board, Mrs. Ashi Wende.
