Lassa fever: Atiku pays tribute to health workers, urges more enlightenment

By Ese Awhotu

Former Vice President and Chieftain of Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar has paid tribute to Dr. Abel Sunday Udo, Dr. Ali Felix and Dr. Idowu Ahmed who were infected and died in the course of treating Lassa fever patients in Ebonyi and Kogi, among other health workers.
Atiku Abubakar while applauding the efforts of the health workers in stemming the scourge of the disease, reminded that they are like soldiers waging a war in which unfortunately some have fallen, as they rally to save the lives of others.
“Our health workers who are in the front line of viral and microbial attacks are deserving of our support and recognition. The nation appreciates your sacrifices. With your determination and our united support, I believe that Nigeria will overcome the outbreak of Lassa fever.”
Atiku Abubakar, in a press statement by his media office on Thursday, admonishes Nigerians about the threats that the rampaging Lassa fever poses to our public health, counselling that every household should endeavour to be enlightened about the disease and how to prevent it.
Atiku warned that the fatality figures on the trail of the outbreak of the Lassa fever disease is becoming alarming, more so as the disease is spreading across states.
Recent media report indicates that the Nigeria Center for Disease Control (NCDC) has recorded 16 fatalities, 107 suspected cases of Lassa fever infection, while the disease has spread to 10 states of the country.
The former Vice President therefore sympathised with families who have lost someone on account of the outbreak of the disease and expressed the optimism that Nigeria will overcome the fangs of the outbreak just like it did with the dreaded Ebola outbreak.
“The resurgence of the Lassa fever is unfortunate and it is saddening that some families have lost dear ones to the recent outbreak of the disease,” Atiku said.
He urged the government to provide emergency call desks at strategic health facilities in the country and ramp up on the sensitization of the public about the disease.
“It is equally important that government partners with the private sector and medical research institutions towards ensuring that vaccines are formulated that can combat and eventually wipe out some perennial diseases inclusive of Lassa fever which recurrence pose a threat to our public health.