The Minister for Health, Osagie Ehanire, declared that about 27 states of the federation have recorded cases of Lassa fever as at the last count. Mr Ehanire said this on Thursday during a meeting with State Health Commissioners across the 36 states, at a two-day event organised by the Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF) in Abuja.
The Minister disclosed that the epidemic claimed the lives of a pregnant woman and two medical doctors at the Kano Teaching Hospital early in the week and at least 16 people have so far died in a fresh outbreak of the disease in Ondo State, and over 80 cases have been recorded since the beginning of the year. The Minister gave the update in his remarks before declaring open a two-day seminar for 36 State Health Commissioners.
He also disclosed that progress is being made by the Federal Government on developing a vaccine against the disease in partnership with a German research firm, he also noted at the event that Nigeria’s current health system does not provide the level and quality of service required to meet the needs of the population. He stated that “Nigeria was still a long way from meeting sustainable development goals.”
He emphasised on the importance of primary healthcare system, describing it as the foundation for heath system which should be complimented by a strong secondary healthcare, and referrals.
“The temptation is to go for large, huge, and visible hospital complexes, which are very visible and impressive and forgetting that down below the needs are not met.
“One large hospital can build about four, five general hospitals; meanwhile, it is creating gaps,” he stated.
The Health Minister called on State Health Commissioners to speak with their various Governors “that the secondary level of the healthcare system is just as important as the primary healthcare sector.” emphasising that there was need to build a functional general Hospital in each 774 Local Government Areas across the country.
The Director General, Nigeria Governors’ Forum, A. B. Okauru acknowledged the ongoing efforts of the Federal Government to strengthen the primary healthcare sector in the country and also expressed hope that the State Commissioners of Health would direct the needed increase in healthcare service delivery.
