Ebonyi State Government has earmarked over N250 million to fight Lassa fever epidemic in the state. Governor David Umahi declared a state of emergency in the health sector following the increasing cases of Lassa fever in the state.
While inspecting the level of work done on the Lassa fever virology centre under construction by his administration at the Federal Medical Centre in Abakaliki at the weekend, Umahi said that equipment for the centre had already been acquired..
He prayed for the speedy approval of money by the state Executive Council, saying it would ensure that the centre was up and running within the three- week given to the committee in charge of the project. The governor noted that the council also approved four ambulances and four dialysis machines to be stationed in designated hospitals in the three senatorial zone of the state and at the teaching hospital He said, “EXCO went further to approve four ambulances to attack lassa fever.
“We have also directed that emergency building or caravan be constructed. It is not good to allow any suspected Lassa fever patient to go to our general hospital or primary health care centre because it could further spread and that is why we want to isolate any case identified through advocacy campaign.
“We have also approved as Exco members four sets of dialysis machines apart from the other equipment associated with Lassa fever approved for the centre. One of the dialysis machines will be in the hospital here and one in each zone in the hospital of your choice.
The governor said that they are spending close to N250 million to attack Lassa fever. About N64 million is going into the mini hospital and the lab. We have money for equipment, campaign advocacy and so on.”
Umahi lauded the management and staff of the Federal Teaching Hospital Abakaliki and the Special committee set up by his administration headed by the Secretary to State Government, Prof Benard Odoh, for their sincerity and commitment to the fight against the virus.
-Emmanuel Ikechukwu
