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FG campaigns against self medication, diagnosis on Lassa fever

By Alemma-Ozioruva Aliu, Benin City
06 May 2017   |   3:16 am
The federal government yesterday called on Nigerians to desist from self-medication especially fever related ailments to check the spread of Lassa fever.

Coordinator, Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu stated this yesterday at a workshop on Management and control of Lassa fever and other viral hemorrhagic fevers organised by the Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital.

The federal government yesterday called on Nigerians to desist from self-medication especially fever related ailments to check the spread of Lassa fever.

Coordinator, Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu stated this yesterday at a workshop on Management and control of Lassa fever and other viral hemorrhagic fevers organised by the Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital (ISTH), Irrua in Edo State, where he called on Nigerians to always see the need to get a diagnosis and desist from self medication to prevent serious illnesses.

He also commended ISTH in their efforts in engaging and supporting the communities affected with lassa fever, describing them as a leader in the diagnosis, care and management of patients with the fever.

The Chief Medical Director of ISTH, Dr. Sylvanus Okogbenin stated that the ISTH has built substantial capacity and gathered enormous experience in the management and control of lassa fever, noting that since the establishment of the molecular diagnostic and research laboratory in the hospital in 2008, over 10,000 blood samples have been submitted and tested for lassa fever from 27 states of the federation.

The Director, Institute of Lassa Fever Research and Control ISTH, Dr. Ephraim Ogbaini noted that the workshop has been long expected and overdue, while stating that Lassa Fever remains a spreading epidemic in Nigeria.

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