18th January, 2023
By Jethro Ibileke
The Edo state government has accused the federal government of neglecting it as it battles to contain Lassa fever that is spreading like wild fire.
The State Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Chris Nehikhare, who disclosed this Wednesday evening during a press briefing in Benin City, raised the alarm over the widespread of the disease.
He also accused federal government agencies, including the Ministry of Health, Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), National Primary Health Care Development Agency (PHCDA) and all other relevant agencies of not giving it positive response in their call for assistance to fight Lassa fever.
According to him, “All letters and entreaties to the Federal Ministry of Health, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), National Primary Health Care Development Agency (PHCDA) and all other relevant agencies have not received any positive response from the government.”
Nehikhare disclosed that over 50 cases have been recorded across the state, with 5 per cent mortality rate recorded, which he said is the highest among the affected states in the country.
According to him, the state government efforts to tackle the Lassa fever outbreak has not yielded any positive results.
“We have reached out to the federal government on the issue to come to our aid.
“As at today over 50 persons have been effected with the disease with 5 per cent mortality rate which is the highest in states where the outbreak have been recorded.
The Edo government spokesman noted that Lassa fever is prevalent in local government areas, including Esan West, Etsako West, Etsako Central, Etsako East, Esan North East, Esan Central and Esan South East.
He called on international agencies, such as the Who Health Organization (WHO), United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF), to come to the aid of the state.