Bauchi state governor Bala Mohammed said he has cuts his official visit to Germany to seek the urgent intervention of Nigeria’s Center for Disease Control over the outbreak of Lassa fever in Bauchi state, as the virus has already killed the district head of Toro, Alhaji Garba Adamu.
A family relative who does not want to be named because he was not authorized to talk said Alhaji Garba Adamu was reported to have contracted lassa fever after coming into contact with his deceased younger brother.
WikkiTimes reports that the late district head was quarantined of lassa fever at the National Hospital in Abuja before his death.
He was a staff of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC.
Governor Bala who visited the Director of the National Center for Disease Control, Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu in Abuja upon his return from Germany, sought for urgent support of the center over the outbreak.
A statement by the governor’s Special Assistant on new media, Lawal Mu’azu Bauchi quoted the governor as saying; “because of the escalation of outbreak of Lassa fever in Bauchi State and the dead of one of the district Head due to the Lassa Fever, and the infection with the diseases by some medical personnel, I decided to cut off my official visit to Germany by coming to solicit the support of the Federal Government through the DG National Center for Disease Control and ED National Primary Health Care development Agency.”
“Our visit to you is to appreciate you for your commitment towards reducing the infection of diseases in the country and to intimate you that we are ever ready to work with you for effective provision of healthcare services in the state.”
The Governor said he is currently working on accessing alternative funding from relevant bodies through the support of multilateral bodies and global organizations working in the state.
To achieve this, Governor Bala Mohammed said his administration will engage religious and community leaders to educate citizens on the preventive mechanism against infectious diseases.
Responding, the Director General of the Centre Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu says the centre will soon establish its wing in Bauchi to help curb the outbreak of diseases in the state.
Dr. Chikwe asked the governor to provide the required manpower in order to achieve the desired objectives.
He said already the centre has declared its interest to support the governor to ensure effective implementation of his health policies that will benefit the citizens of the state.
“Your Excellency, even before your visit to us today, you have our commitment, let’s work together so as to ensure effective service delivery.
“Human resources is one of the major challenges in the healthcare sector, I hope you will provide the required manpower. We will soon lay down our foundation in Bauchi state to manage outbreak of diseases”, the statement quoted Dr. Chikwe as saying.
The Director said the centre is working in close collaboration with critical stakeholders to manage diseases in case of outbreak in the country.
