We Are Prepared For Any Lassa Fever Eventuality ― NAUTH

The Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital NAUTH, Nnewi, Anambra State has said its workers are prepared to battle any outbreak of the ravaging Lassa Fever epidemic that is affecting the nation.

Chairman, Medical and Advisory Committee, CMAC, Dr Joseph Ugboaja, revealed this recently as he spoke to newsmen at NAUTH Nnewi.

According to him, the Chief Medical Director of NAUTH, Professor Anthony Igwegbe has set up a meeting with vital stakeholders to make sure everything is set for any eventuality, including adequate drugs.

He added that they are currently mobilizing healthcare workers on how to safeguard themselves during this period.

His words, “What we do is that once we suspect, the patient is moved straight to the isolation ward where the trained healthcare personnel would work on the person.

“We are also mobilising healthcare workers on how to protect themselves and how to be able to identify a likely case, so as to mount the necessary response.

“The hospital has a standby Lassa Fever Committee working round the year to tackle the epidemic, and the health institution has drawn up algorithms pasted at strategic places and fumigated the hospital environment, just as it has ensured steady running of clean water for adequate sanitation.

“Specifically in terms of response, we have two prongs: first is building and equipping an isolation centre, we are the first health institution in the South East to have a fully accredited isolation centre for such emergency cases, the centre is built and equipped with the necessary infrastructure.”

“We also sent pharmacists, a medical laboratory scientist, hygienist and of course other relevant health workers,”

“The medical experts were at Irrua Specialist Hospital, Edo State for two weeks to have the necessary training on how to tackle the outbreak of any epidemic disease.”