By Terna Injua
The Benue State Ministry of Health and Human Services with support from WHO, UNICEF and other partners has recorded progress in reducing mortality from lassa fever and protecting frontline health workers from the disease.
Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr. Paul Ogwuche stated this at the Ministry’s headquarters while interacting with newsmen on the significance of this year’s world health day which has the theme, “Together for Health, Stand with Science”.
Dr. Ogwuche who explained that at the moment, there was no one at the isolation centers opened for the treatment of lassa fever said the feat was achieved through rigorous surveillance, laboratory confirmation, infection prevention and control as well as evidence-based case management.
He maintained that the Ministry also renovated and equipped health facilities at the primary level, procured essential medicines, and trained healthcare workers in evidence-based practices to improve service delivery as well as carried out immunization campaigns targeting measles, rubella, and polio.
While stressing the need for the people to stand with science by trusting evidence-based health information and seeking care early at approved facilities, Dr. Ogwuche appealed to traditional and religious leaders as well as civil society organizations to help in mobilising communities to embrace science for better health outcomes.
State Coordinator, World Health Organization, Dr. Abdulkarim Muhammed maintained that the organization would work together with other partners to assist the Government in generating data that would be used in tracking funding sources to improve budgetary allocation to the health sector.
Edited By Terna Injua
About The Author
