. . . As Lassa fever death toll hits 76
The Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole has called on all the States to strengthen their surveillance systems, report all cases and collaborate with the Federal Ministry of Health in the successful implementation of the Multi-Sectoral Response Strategy to fighting Lassa fever.
He made the call at the National Council of State meeting held in Abuja which he presided over. The National Council on Health is the highest advisory body on health in Nigeria. It comprises the State Commissioners for Health of the 36 States, the Secretary of Health & Human Services Secretariat FCT, with the Honourable Minister of Health as the Chairman of the Council.
The Emergency meeting was convened by the Honourable Minster of Health as a result of the recent outbreak of Lassa fever in some States of the Country since August 2015, which has so far led to the death of 76 Nigerians as at 18th January, 2016.
The meeting broadly aimed to lay the foundation for a Multi-Sectoral Response to the Lassa Fever Outbreak as a matter of urgency.
The specific objectives of the Emergency meeting were presented to Council by the Honourable Minister of State for Health and included the need to facilitate discussion on the control of the on-going Lassa fever outbreak, development of strategies for the prevention and management of outbreaks; operationalisation of integrated management of outbreaks and emergencies at the Federal, State and LGA levels; and inauguration the Lassa fever eradication committee.
The Council received a presentation from Prof. Isaac F. Adewole, Hon. Minister of Health titled “Laying the Foundation for a Multi-Sectoral Response to Lassa Fever”. The presentation elucidated the Multi-Sectoral Response Strategy for the control of Lassa fever and other Emergency on Lassa Fever and similar diseases.
At the meeting, the Council received a presentation on Epidemiological Situation of the current Lassa Fever Outbreak in Nigeria including available Response infrastructure/resource requirements by Prof. Abdulaslami Nasidi, National Coordinator/CEO, National Center for Disease Control (NCDC).
The Council agreed that updates from Lassa Fever affected states who detailed the progression of the outbreak(s) in their states and current efforts to contain and prevent further spread of the disease and reassure the affected Communities; as well as updates from CMDs/MDs of Federal Tertiary Health Institutions located within the affected States on their response and high index of suspicion towards all cases coming to their institutions, their management of confirmed cases, and measures being implemented to prevent nosocomial spread within their facilities as well as their community outreach efforts.
The Council noted the efforts of the Federal Ministry of Health, its Agencies and Parastatals under the leadership of the Honourable Minister of Health as well as the efforts of all States including non-affected States who are actively strengthening their surveillance systems, awareness and health programme campaigns. Council appreciated the Nigerian Military and Para-Military Medical Corps for their commitments to support ongoing control efforts.
The Council observed that unlike Ebola, Lassa Fever is treatable if detected early and there are adequate treatment centres spread across the country. Council therefore reassured the Public on the adequacy of the response to the outbreak and urged the Public, Community and Religious leaders to cooperate with the Health Agencies in their States to ensure prompt reporting of any suspected case.
The Council approved the following resolutions: The inauguration of the Multi-Sectoral Lassa Fever Eradication Committeeb. The implementation of the Multi-Sectoral Response Strategy; and that a high index of suspicion should be maintained and the surveillance systems should be robust enough to detect further infections.
The Council further appreciated the role of development partners in health, the media and other stakeholders for their contribution towards the success of the meeting.
Among things agreed by the Council include that the 58th NCH will hold on March 7th – 11th 2016 in Sokoto, Sokoto State.
A total of 418 delegates participated from the Ministry, Departments and Agencies of the Federal Ministry of Health including Chief Medical Directors/Medical Directors of Federal Tertiary Health Institutions, State Ministries of Health and the Health & Human Services Secretariat of the Federal Capital Territory Administration, Abuja.
Others in attendance were representatives of key Federal Ministries such as Agriculture, Education, Environment and Information; Also in attendance were Development Partners drawn from WHO, UNICEF, UNFPA, WAHO, CDC, PATHS2, DFID, BMGF, HERFON, AFENET, Higher Commissioner of Canada, Innovative Vaccines, and USAID; as well as delegates from the Health Regulatory Bodies, Professional associations, the Tri-Services of the Nigerian Military and Para-Military Medical Corps.