The Federal Medical Center (FMC) Jalingo is at the forefront of a deadly battle against Lassa Fever, with 42 deaths recorded between November 2025 and March 2026, highlighting a growing health crisis in the state.

The tertiary hospital, the largest in Taraba, at the time of filing this report, is struggling to cope amid a shortage of medical doctors, forcing healthcare workers to operate under intense pressure as the epidemic claims lives.

Visibly dejected by the situation the Head of Clinical Services at FMC Jalingo, Dr. Abubakar Kirim, who
described the situation as a “rapidly escalating epidemic.” said, “Lassa Fever is surging, and if not properly managed, it is claiming lives on a daily basis.”

Dr. Kirim revealed that 230 suspected cases were reported over the five-month period, with 102 confirmed cases. Of these, 95 patients were admitted, and 30 were successfully treated discharged.
However, the fight against the virus is complicated by delays in testing.

Patients, according to him, sometimes abscond from the treatment center while awaiting sample confirmation, putting themselves and others at risk. “When we run short of test reagents, samples are sent to Bauchi or Edo for confirmation. During this waiting period, some patients get agitated and leave,” he explained.

More to that, health workers were also confirmed to have fallen victim to the virus. Three staff members, including a doctor, a nurse, and a driver, at the time of filing this report, were confirmed to have contracted Lassa Fever.

“Our health workers are risking their lives to save others. The shortage of doctors makes our work even more challenging,” Dr. Kirim said.

The hospital is now appealing for qualified medical doctors to join the fight. “We urgently need more doctors to strengthen our response to this epidemic,” he urged.

Dr. Kirim who noted that beyond the hospital walls, public awareness is critical, called on stakeholders at all levels — from ward officials to Local Government Authorities and the state Ministry of Health — to lead massive awareness campaigns to curb the spread of the virus. “The epidemic is rising daily, and only a coordinated response can save lives,” he stressed.

Residents of Jalingo have also being advised to exercise caution by distancing themselves from having contact with rodents, maintain strict hygiene, and seek immediate medical attention if symptoms such as fever, headaches, or bleeding appear, all common signs of Lassa Fever.

As FMC Jalingo continues to operate under challenging conditions, the unfolding crisis underscores the fragility of healthcare systems during epidemics and highlights the courage of frontline workers risking their lives to save others.