Corona Virus: Gov. Alia Reactivates Public Health Emergency Response Centers

……Records zero Lassa Fever infection in 4 weeks

From Uche Nnorom, Makurdi

Benue State Commissioner for Health and Human Services Dr Paul Ejeh Ogwuche has stated the preparedness and readiness of the State to curtail any outbreak of Corona Virus.

This is even as he intimated that there has been no case of Lassa Fever in the State in last four weeks.

Recall that, a Chinese man tested positive for Corona Virus last week in Cross River State and this development sent shivers across the country particularly in Benue which shares border with Cross River.

Dr Ogwuche said as part of the State’s preparedness, its Public Health Emergency Response Centers have been reactivated and is functional, adding that all the pillars of operations are very active.

Giving an update on Lassa Fever infection in the State, he said it is winning the fight against the deadly disease, disclosing that latest report from the State Epidermologist indicate zero case in the last 4 weeks.

Said he, “We are winning. I was talking with the State Epidemiologist today and he told me they do not any patient on admission now. For the past 4 weeks we have screening and are still screening and have not had any positives. But note that the incubation period is 42 days and if God help us and we get to that period without positives, we can declare the State Lassa Fever free.

“So far, we are doing well. There are no new cases. The success achieved so far is as a result of signal outbreak and lots of partners are here. The State government also supported us with funds. We did a lot of training and brought alot of personal protective equipment, carried out sensitization through jingles and messages as well as case funding in the communities.

“We also cried to Nigeria Center for Disease Control, NCDC and World Health Organization, WHO who came in and assisted us. In fact, some of the partners like LSM are withdrawing tommorrow because we are doing well already. The support was from all over.

Commenting on renovation of Primary Health Care Center in the State, the Health Conmissioner posited that alot is done in this regard, insisting that the Governor believes in the functionality of the PHC centers.

He said late 2025, some health workers were recruuted into the PHC system, acknowledging that gaps still exist.

“Of course the gaps have been there and it is much but it is a gradual thing. The government and the Ministry are aware but gradually those gaps would be closed so that our people can go to the facility and have people that would manage them. The plan is to revitalize all PHC centers in all the 276 council wards in the State with perímeter fencing and solar powered lighting systems, staff and necessary consumables are made available. Those plans are fully in place. In fact more than 110 PHC centers are been revitalized”, Dr Ogwuche intimated.