#Meningitis: FG must prevent outbreak in prisons, IDPs camps —Senate

The Senate, on Tuesday, asked the Federal Government to stop the ravaging meningitis epidemic from spreading to prisons, police stations and camps of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).

The chamber made the plea, following the adoption of a motion moved by Senator Gbenga Ashafa and 15 others entitled: “Outbreak of Meningitis: Urgent need to curb the spread and stop further deaths.”

In adopting the motion, the Senate asked the government to forestall further deaths by curbing the spread of the disease.

The lawmakers also directed the Federal Ministry of Health to make sure that free vaccines were provided for all victims, just as it called for massive education and enlightenment of Nigerians on the disease.

The Senate also  lamented  the high cost of vaccines while charging the Ministry of Health to work closely with relevant agencies and the World Health Organisation (WHO) in order to acquire sufficient vaccines to tackle and prevent further spread of the outbreak.

While moving the motion, Senator Ashafa stated that meningitis was a disease mostly associated with overcrowding; lack of ventilation which usually peaks during the dry season between November and April.

According to him,  “The recent meningitis type is a new strand of meningitis called Stereotype C, unlike the previous kind of meningitis called Stereotype A, which  has disappeared, hence the vaccine that provides protection for this type of meningitis is not commercially viable and needs to be acquired through a special process coordinated by the World Health Organisation.”

He  lamented that the disease had affected states like Zamfara, Sokoto, Kebbi, Katsina,  Niger and the Federal Capital Territory, adding that the head of Centre for Diease Control had also done a breakdown of the affected states.

The lawmaker also informed that the outbreak had reached the Federal Capital Territory in Abuja and that the FCT Primary Health Care Development Board recorded four deaths on March 28, in Durumi area of the Abuja Municipal Area Council, AMAC as well as the death of a boy in Dakwa area of Bwari Area Council on Wednesday, March 29.

In their separate contributions, Senators Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, Tijani Kaura; Ali Wakili; Sam Anyanwu; Mao Ohunabunwa; Abdullahi Gume and Abdulfatai Buhari stressed the need for the Senate to ensure adequate funds provision for the Federal Ministry of Health in order to be proactive on all health related issues in the country.

Senate President, Bukola Saraki,  who  commended the executive for responding quickly to address the outbreak,  promised that the National Assembly would ensure adequate funds for the Ministry of Health and relevant agencies to ensure they were proactive in their primary responsibilities of healthcare delivery services.