|5th February,
2018| Coco-Bassey Esu
The Cross River State Government has stepped up its defense
against Lassa Fever in the State by organizing a sensitization and awareness
campaign around border communities in the State and also providing Personal
Protective Equipment for health workers in the State.
The State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Inyang Asibong, who led the
team said the move became necessary as the two cases of Lassa Fever in the
State were Migrants coming into the State. She noted during the demonstration
that the protective equipment which includes disposable gowns, hand gloves,
nose masks, shoe covers and head gear can also be used for other forms of
medical emergencies aside from Lassa Fever. The idea is to improve the
confidence of health workers whilst protecting them against contracting the
disease.
"We are here at the Ikang border in Bakassi LGA which borders
Cameroon to sensitize the border community as we have a lot of people coming in
and out for leisure and trade purposes, and we're also aware of the Lassa Fever
outbreak which started in Eboyin and ravaging Nigeria. We are here to talk to the
people about prevention which is key and also sensitize them on the need to
practice good environmental and personal hygiene and handwashing as these are
some of the best ways of staying safe. This would be replicated across all the
borders in the State as we are leaving no stone unturned in our drive to
strengthen our borders against disease migration"
"Sen. (Prof) Ben Ayade is very particular about making sure
staff are healthy and the health workers are comfortable when talk to action,
which is why the State has donated Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to be
used by health workers in tackling Lassa Fever and other hemorrhaging
conditions. If the health workers are confident when attending to patients we
would be sure of not losing health workers as the cases we've had before."
Also speaking was the DG of the Cross River State Primary Health
Care Development Agency, Dr. Betta Edu, who said the State has been put on
redalert following the outbreak in Eboyin State which borders Cross River
State. She said the State has activated it's Emergency Response Unit, set up a
task force committee as well as isolation units and also created community
sensitization messages and activities across the State.
She also said that the community health workers have been well
equipped and are on the alert to pickup patient showing signs of any endemic
disease as displayed in the flyers and posters distributed in the community.
Other members of the team include the Director of Public Health in
the State, Dr Iwara Iwara, the State Mobilization Officer; Mrs. Victoria
Inyang, the Disease Surveillance and Nutrition Officers, Community Health
Extension Workers and Primary Health Care workers in the area, Community
leaders among others.
Lassa Fever is caused by the droppings Mastomys Natalensis which
is commonly found in the West African region, and the practice of good
environmental hygiene, improved personal hygiene, hand washing and eating
properly cooked foods are some of the best ways of preventing the disease.
Ukorebi Esien
Blogs and Publishes for Thedailynewsng
Blogs and Publishes for Thedailynewsng
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