- Amid 6o suspected cases
The Benue State Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr. Paul Ogwuche, confirmed on Monday that four health workers have died of Lassa fever in the State.
Speaking with journalists in Makurdi, the commissioner said that reports from the ministry’s dashboard indicated that there were over 60 suspected cases as of Monday.
He added that 11 cases have been confirmed, out of which four health workers died, while three patients are currently on admission.
The commissioner said that vigorous efforts, through public enlightenment and assistance from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), are being made to curtail the disease.
He said: “The record from the ministry dashboard as of today indicates that there are over 60 suspected cases of Lassa fever in the state, while 11 cases have been confirmed, out of which four health workers died and three patients are on admission.”
Ogwuche further explained that all 23 general hospitals in the state are manned by qualified medical doctors, despite the brain drain in the health sector.
He said that the ratio of medical doctors to patients, as well as nurses to patients and other cadres, has yet to be attained, as the State has not reached the recommended standard.
He lauded Governor Hyacinth Alia for his transformation efforts in the health sector, which he said have brought a lot of positive changes, especially in terms of manpower development in health facilities.
“The Teaching Hospital has undergone a lot of transformation, accompanied by massive recruitment of workers. Also, in our primary healthcare facilities, recruitments have been done and are still ongoing.
“Work on the cancer centre is ongoing but, if you look at the details of how these things work, to an ordinary person it may appear as if it is stalled. I have taken a tour of the hospital and seen where they are. The building needs to be customised to the equipment that will be installed. So, it is beyond what you are seeing.
“This equipment needs to be ordered. It will take months to be delivered, but I assure you that the project is dear to the Governor. The wife of the President, Senator Remi Tinubu, is also interested in it. It is at her instance that the cancer centre is being established.
“Having a cancer centre close to us will do us a lot of good, considering what people are going through with cancer. I assure you that the project is on course. Processing and a lot of things are happening underground,” he said.