… As Ondo records 34 deaths, 227 cases from Lassa Fever***
Gov. Godwin Obaseki of Edo has decried brain drain in Nigeria’s health sector, post-COVID-19.
Obaseki stated this when he hosted members of the Association of Nigeria physicians in the Americas (ANPA) who were in the state for a medical mission, to launch a New Festival Hall, Edo Government House.
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According to him, the brain drain among healthcare professionals is affecting the delivery of healthcare services in Nigeria.
“You are doing something quite revolutionary.
“This is the first physical mission post-COVID-19.
”Post-COVID-19, the world has changed particularly in the healthcare system.
“The pressure COVID-19 has put on our healthcare system is unimaginable, the amount of brain drain in our healthcare system is frightening.
“This mission is one response to this brain drain crisis.
“Healthcare is all about the people and we are blessed as a state as we have many health professionals and we are happy for the partnership,” he said.
Obaseki urged the medical practitioners not to listen to political detractors during their one week of free medical services in Edo.
Earlier, the President of ANPA, Dr Christopher Okunseri, said it would go on an advocacy mission to the National Assembly for an increase in the Healthcare budget for Nigeria.
He also said it would be focusing on reversing brain drain to brain gain.
In another development, the Ondo State government, says a total of 34 persons have died of Lassa Fever in the state from January to date.
Prof. Francis Faduyile, Special Adviser to the state governor on Health, made the disclosure in an interview with the newsmen in Akure on Sunday.
Faduyile said the state recorded 227 confirmed cases in six Local Government Areas (LGAs) during the period.
According to him, the local governments are Owo, Ose, Akure South, Akoko South-West, Akure North and Ondo West.
Faduyile said there were three confirmed cases among health workers in the state.
“None of the health workers died, because they reported early as a result of high index of suspicions and early presentations.
They did well and recover quickly,” he said.
He explained that the prevalent period of the disease was during the dry season, noting that “although there could still be one or two cases during the rainy season.”
“Ondo State, in the last epidemic, was the epicenter of Lassa Fever in Nigeria, and the state government looked into the cause and ways to prevent the disease.
“The first way to prevent Lassa is to stop bush burning, and we have sensitized against this.
Besides, don’t put your food where rats have access.
“There is also ‘deratification’, that is to kill all the rats which the state government has done and was successful.
“Then we had an index of suspicion so that people can start testing for Lassa early.
“A lot of our health workers have been put on high awareness because those that are positive should have prompt treatment.
“Ondo State government has also improved the Infectious Disease Hospital, Akure, to a standard that can take care of Lassa Fever.
“Also, the Federal Medical Centre in Owo has an area that can treat Lassa.
We have also seen that the sanitation of the area is important,” he said.
Faduyile, who explained that the state government was working on the refuse dump site in Owo, said a new dump site would be created, while more vehicles would be used to get refuse to the site.
He also said the area would be treated so that the rodents would not leave their habitats inside the forest for the city.
Faduyile noted that the Lassa Fever cases in the state, in the last couple of weeks, had reduced drastically.
He also spoke on the legacy of the present administration, which he claimed, would be known for its sustainable healthcare management.
“We don’t want to do something that is not sustainable, so we are putting a sustainable Healthcare management in place with our health insurance scheme.
“Ondo State tarries high amongst the committee of states in this country with our health insurance, and that is what can sustain health.
“Whatever model you wish to adopt, the most important thing is sustainability.
We are taking the bull by the horns,” the former President of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) said.