Chinyere Amalu
10 March 2009
MINISTER of Health, Prof. Babatunde Osotimehin has reassured Nigerians of the Federal Government's efforts to ensure that the Lassa Fever outbreak is checked and not allowed to spread further than it already has.
Oshotimehin who gave the assurance in Lafia, the Nasarawa State capital, during a courtesy visit to the Governor Aliyu Akwe Doma, confirmed that the epidemic, had been detected in 12 States, claiming five lives, two of who were from the Nasarawa.
His words: "State governments should wake up to their responsibilities of giving adequate attention to healthcare in their state. It is also very important that you establish task forces in your domains to ensure early detection of epidemics".
Responding, the Governor commended the Minister for providing drugs and vaccines to help stem the tide of the epidemic, but decried the state of a collapsed health sector he claims his administration inherited with inadequate doctors, poor health facilities and poorly trained medical staff.
He assured that his administration is doing well in correcting the defects in the health sector as well as reorganizing the health care system to offer quality healthcare to the people.
He also announced that the Sstate government had a Bill before the National Assembly to establish Primary Health care Agency in the country, which he observed, would further, strengthen primary health care system.
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