The Kogi chapter of the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), on Thursday, March 26th, 2020 said twenty seven (27) confirmed cases of Lassa fever disease from nine local government areas of the state had been recorded by the state epidemiologist.

This development was contained in a press statement issued on Thursday, March 26th, 2020, by the NMA Chairman in Kogi, Dr. Kabiru Zubair.

According to him, no case of coronavirus (COVID-19) had been recorded in the state as at Wednesday, March 25th, 2020.

The medical association noted that although Kogi State had not recorded a single case of coronavirus (COVID-19), but it is bordered by ten 10 states and Federal Capital Territory (FCT), as well as serve as a major transit point between the North and South, which made it vulnerable at this time.

Zubair, therefore, urged the state and federal governments to continue to do more regarding preventive measures, noting that the healthcare system was too fragile to withstand major outbreaks of infections like COVID-19.

He urged the state government to improve its level of preparedness, since no state was immune to the outbreak of deadly disease, adding that the proposed isolation centre should be urgently set up and properly equipped with relevant medical gadgets, such as ventilators.

He stressed that Personal Protective Equipment should be made available to healthcare workers, while urging the state to set up and train a management team that could professionally and efficiently handle cases of coronavirus disease.

He praised the efforts of the Kogi State Government in managing Lassa fever cases at the state’s treatment centre in Lokoja.

He also commended the government for the ongoing sensitization on preventive measures against Lassa fever and the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) across the state.

The NMA in Kogi in line with directive from her national body hereby issue a press statement in respect of the ongoing containment exercise of the dual outbreak of infections cause by Lassa Fever virus and coronavirus.

This is especially important because of increasing incidence of Lassa fever cases reported in Kogi as well as the confirmed cases of COVID-19 in our neighbouring States.

So far, 27 confirmed cases of Lassa Fever disease from nine local government areas have been reported by the state epidemiologist. However, no case of COVID-19 has been recorded in the State as at March 25, 2020.

The NMA wishes to commend the effort of the Kogi Government so far with respect to case management of Lassa Fever Patients at the treatment centre in Kogi Specialist Hospital, Lokoja, as well as the ongoing sensitization on preventive measures against it.

The NMA is aware of some proactive measures taken by Kogi Government so far, such as shutting down of schools and public gathering with effect from March 23, and the ongoing sensitisation of the general public on preventive measures against the scourge,

he said.

Moreover, Zubair seized the opportunity to remind the Kogi Government on the need to implement corrected CONMESS for state doctors, as well increase the hazard allowance of healthcare workers, in order to attract and keep them.

On a final note, the NMA wishes to urge all her members as well as the general public to heed the advice of the government and healthcare providers on all the preventive measures,

Zubair said.

Justin Nwosu

Justin Nwosu is the founder and publisher of Flavision. His core interest is in writing unbiased news about Nigeria in particular and Africa in general. He’s a strong adherent of investigative journalism, with a bent on exposing corruption, abuse of power and societal ills.