Lassa Fever Now in 27 States, Says Ehanire

Minister for Health Dr. Osagie Ehanire, yesterday said the federal government has guaranteed the provision of the Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) to operate 24 hours full service.

The minister stated this yesterday in Abuja when he declared open a two-day meeting with commissioners for health from the 36 states of the federation organised by the Health Department of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF).

He also stated that progress is being achieved in the production of vaccines for Lassa fever, explaining that the epidemic is now in 27 states.

It was gathered that the objective of the meeting was to onboard all commissioners for health on the Seattle Declaration and strategise on its operationalisation as well as enlighten them on other health priorities of the governors’ forum.

THISDAY gathered that the meeting was to update the commissioners on priority of the national health agenda and their roles in translating them at the sub-national level.

It is also to promote experience sharing and learning among the commissioners; develop roadmap for strengthening the health commissioners’ forum for better healthcare delivery at the sub-national level.

The minister lamented that Nigeria has not reached the level of providing the quality of health required to meet its population.

Ehanire said: “We know that our country health system does not yet provide the level of quality of service required to meet the population,” while noting that Nigeria was far from reaching the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

According to the minister, “For instance, the maternal mortality rate of 512 per 100,000 live births and under five mortality rate of 132 per thousand birth show that we are far away from reaching sustainable development goals.”