The Federal Ministry of Health has issued
public advisory warning to Nigerians as the
number of deaths associated with
cerebrospinal meningitis outbreak rises to
328 in 90 Local Government Areas in 16
states including Zamfara, Katsina, Sokoto,
Kebbi, Niger, Nassarawa, Jigawa, FCT,
Gombe, Taraba , Yobe, Kano, Osun, Cross
Rivers, Lagos and Plateau.
Minister of Health, Prof Isaac Adewole, who
disclosed this in a press statement issued
on Saturday, April 1, by Mrs Boade Akinola,
Director, Media and Public Relations, said
328 deaths associated with Meningitis have
been recorded since November 2016.
Prof Adewole assured Nigerians that the
Federal Ministry of Health under his purview
would nip the outbreak of meningitis
ravaging some states in the bud.
He made this assertive conviction about the
capability of the Federal government after
his ministry issued public advisory warning
to Nigerians. He also spoke extensively on
efforts employed and deployed so far to
curtail the further spread of the epidemic.
“We have started working with all the
affected states in specific areas of
collaboration on massive awareness and
sensitization, laboratory investigation and
analysis, proper documentation and disease
surveillance techniques through the National
Centre for Disease Control and National
Primary Health Care Development Authority
(NPHCDA) who have been of tremendous
support since the outbreak. We are in
constant discussion with World Health
Organization (WHO), UNICEF, E-health
Africa and other international health
agencies for supplies of vaccines and
injections.
“Through our initiatives, we have secured
500,000 doses of the meningococcal
vaccines from WHO which will be used in
Zamfara and Katsina states while additional
800,000 units from the British
government .By next Tuesday, there will be
a meeting with the International Review
Group of The World Health Organization
(WHO) where request for additional vaccines
shall be approved, as part of practical and
medically certified efforts to stem this ugly
incidence.
“Even with the tunnels of accomplishment
made, we are not relenting on all the
progress made, as we have been assured of
millions of vaccine doses through other
notable and international donor agencies.
Unfortunately, Nigeria had always been
bedevilled with the stereotype A in years
past but this new strain of the bacterial
disease, Meningitis Stereotype C which the
vaccine is not commercially available in
required quantities and can only be shipped
to the country by WHO only if laboratory
investigation confirms the existence of the
strain type C.
“Our ongoing spirited effort is geared to
upscale through nationwide immunisation
campaign while navigating the menace
using a combination vaccine by conducting
active case finding, strengthening
surveillance, case detection, verification and
communication management, performing
lumbar puncture of suspect cases in a well
coordinated atmosphere under NCDC. Our
partners are already re-training physicians
on the effective collection of cerebrospinal
fluid for diagnosis.
“We are equally advocating for prompt
diagnosis and have issued directive to all
Federal medical facilities and PHCs to treat
all cases of meningitis free of charge. All
Nigerians especially residents of Katsina,
Kano, Kebbi, Sokoto, Niger, Zamfara and
Jigawa states are advised to seek early
attention when discomforted with symptoms
of Cerebro Spinal Meningitis (CSM) and
avoid clogging together in unventilated and
over-crowded rooms.”

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By Kisha

Henry Treasure Generally Addressed As Kisha is a Young Nigerian Entrepreneur, Humanist, Content Creator, Blogger & CEO of WWW.AMIBOISLAND.COM As Much as i love my simplicity, i also Eat & Dine With Controversy. My personality Is Quite a Unique One, Isn't it? Lol!

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