The State Government of Osun has said the awareness campaign it recently embarked on to sensitize the people against the spread of Lassa Fever outbreak in the State is yielding positive results.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Public Health, Dr Olasiji Olamiju made this known while addressing newsmen after an inspection tour of LAUTECH Teaching hospital, Osogbo to assess their level of preparedness in handling infectious diseases, especially Lassa hemorrhagic Fever.
He explained that the level of preparedness of any health facility is essential, which is why the governor has mandated him to assess and evaluate all its primary healthcare centres, comprehensive health centres and the only teaching hospital’s level of preparedness against the ravaging epidemic.
“Mr Governor is so much interested in the level of preparedness of all health institutions, especially the teaching hospital which happens to be the only tertiary hospital we have here and that is why we have come to see what is on ground and to confirm the suspected case they recorded earlier today.”
“The suspected case was said to have presented herself for treatment so that she won’t be a risk to others, when she listened to one of our jingles on radio. It means our sensitization campaigns in the religious centres and market places are yielding good results.”
Commending LAUTECH teaching hospital, Dr Olamiju said, “the State Government of Osun under the leadership of Governor Adegboyega Oyetola is satisfied with your level of preparedness against lassa fever and we will continue to support the hospital whenever the need arises”
Also speaking, the Chairman, Medical Advisory Committee (CMAC) LAUTECH Teaching Hospital, Dr Babatunde Afolabi, thanked the State government for procuring protective equipments that will prevent health officers from having contact with patients who has the lassa fever symptoms, while requesting for more protective equipments supply from the government.
Likewise, Director of Public Health in the State, Dr Gbenga Adepoju also commended LAUTECH for setting up the ‘holding unit’ where suspected cases of lassa fever will be attended to before transporting such cases to the treatment centre.
Also present were the Director of Medical Rehabilitation services, the Hospital Management Board, the Director of Nursing, the PRO, Lautech Teaching Hospital Osogbo, among others.