In its resolve to check the spread of Lassa fever which has so far claimed no fewer than 20 lives, Bauchi State Government has expressed its plans to establish three isolation centres in three selected hospitals across the state in order to manage and control the infection.
The disclosure of the plan was announced by the State Governor, Sen Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed, on Wednesday, when he received officials of the
Nigeria Center for Disease Control (NCDC) who visited him at the Council Chamber, Government House Bauchi.
Bala Mohammed who was represented by the State Deputy Governor, Sen Baba Tela said that already the state government has taken proactive measures against the spread of the disease in the state through the setting up of an emergency outbreak basket fund.
He said that, ” We are delighted to receive you today at the Government House Bauchi to condole us over the outbreak of Lassa fever that resulted to the death of a District Head and others including medical personnel. We are aware of the measures taken by the NCDC to stop the spread of the disease not only in Bauchi State but across the country in general. We will give you our support to achieve the set objectives”
Bala Mohammed added, “I commend our Health workers for their commitment in the fight against communicable diseases in the state. On our part as a government, we will give all the necessary support”
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“Our health workers are also doing their best by their commitment in the fight against communicable diseases in the state. I also applaud stakeholders in the health sector for their collective efforts in tackling the outbreak of communicable diseases in the state”, the Governor added.
While speaking, Leader of the delegation who is the Director-General of the Center Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu said that the visit was to condole the government and people of the state over the death of the District Head of Toro and others who lost their lives as a result of Lassa fever disease.
The DG who was represented by the Director Administration and Human Resources, Alhaji Yakubu Abdullahi, stressed the need for the state government to embark on a massive awareness campaign as a preventive mechanism against infection with the disease.
He said that, ” Bauchi is an endemic state as far as Lassa fever disease is concerned. We have learned a lot with the death of the District Head and we are planning to monitor his family for 21 days to assess the situation”.
The DG, however, declared that “From all indications, Bauchi state government is ready to fight the scourge of the disease, so we will support you in the establishment of the isolation centres in the state.”
The Director-General then said that despite the fact that Lassa Fever is a highly infectious disease, it is preventive if reported early and the precautionary medical steps are taken including quarantine and administration of required medical care on the victim.