The Medicines Sans Frontieres (Doctors without borders) says it has treated 58 patients for lassa fever in Ebonyi since the beginning of this year.
Mr Elton Mbofana, the organisation’s Project Coordinator in Ebonyi, said this on Tuesday in Abakaliki while briefing newsmen on its activities in the state.
Mbofana said that his team operated at the Alex-Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital (AE-FUTHA) working closely with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NSCDC) and the state ministry of health.
“We provided the treated patients with mental health support and conduct awareness raising activities in communities.
“We have also responded to emergencies and outbreaks of other diseases in Ebonyi and its neighbouring states.
He noted that the MSF began its activities in Ebonyi in March 2018 ,especially, by treating patients suffering from lassa fever.
“We had a focus of reducing the disease’s transmission to healthcare workers and improving case management to reduce mortality.
“We provide protective measures for hospital staff among other health workers as they are mostly at risk of contracting the disease,” he said.
Also, Dr Slaymen Ammar, the organisation’s Project Referent, called for increased enlightenment and awareness of the disease in the state as its peak period (dry season) approaches.
“We seek enhanced media awareness on citizens to apply appropriate preventive measures to combat the disease in the state.
“We have intensified meetings and streamlining of ideas with technical partners and other agencies, to prepare adequately for the peak period.
“We would also prioritise the provision of personal protective equipment and outlining sub-optimal infection prevention and control measures for healthworkers toward optimal protection,” he said.
Mr Benjamin Uzoma, the organisation’s Health Promotion Manager, called for adequate enlightenment of the citizens to stop stigmatising people who recovered from the disease.
“It is unfortunate that most patients certified treated of the disease are not reintegrated into their families and workplaces,” he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Mr Pierre Diazenza, the organisation’s Nursing Activity Manager, led journalists on a tour of lassa fever treatment facilities at AE-FUTHA.
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