ONDO GOVT ENGAGES PARTNERS ON CURTAILING LASSA FEVER

Ondo state ministry of Health has met with all partners working with the ministry in the state on how best to reduce the spread of Lassa fever in the 18 local government areas in the state

The commissioner for Health, Dr Banji Awolowo Ajaka made this known while speaking at the expanded Emergency Operation Centre (EOC) meeting.

Addressing the partners, the commissioner appreciated the various support the partners had given over the years while also acknowledging that Ondo state is the only state that enjoys free Lassa treatment.

speaking on the upsurge of the epidermic, Dr Ajaka said Lassa is always on the increase between January and march every year.

"we have a situation at hand, our people are dying, we are at risk. So we know this time of the year is Lassa fever outbreak season" that is January to march, we are going to be faced with this situation, therefore we must intensify efforts to curtail the outbreak.

He advised the people of the state to dispose their waste properly and avoid indiscriminate burning of bush as prevention to the spread of the epidermic.

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Pharm. ( Mrs) Folukemi Aladenola while giving the welcome address advocated for early preparedness from November every year which usually marks the beginning of dry season before the full blown outbreak in January.


She also pleaded for more timely support from the partners which she said would go a long way to keep the people of the state safe from getting infected and dying from the disease.

Aladenola sought for cooperation of all stakeholders in the state in order to tackle the menace effectively.

The State Coordinator, World Health Organisation (WHO), Dr Dele David while speaking on behalf of all the partners said they were committed to supporting the state to achieve the goal of reducing Lassa fever fatality rate.

In the meeting were all directors in the ministry of Health , State Coordinators of World Health Organisation, Dr Dele David, and Alima, Dr Kenneth Ayino, Representatives of Red Cross, St Louis Hospital, Ministries of Environment, Agriculture, waste Management and all other statutory members .