Abuja – The Federal Government on Tuesday charged the committee on the eradication of Lassa fever in Nigeria to provide a one-health approach to the complete eradication of the disease in the country.
The Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, gave the task while inaugurating the committee at the emergency National Council of Health meeting in Abuja.
He said the committee was chaired by Prof. Oyewale Tomori, President, Nigeria Academy of Science and co-founder of Lassa fever virus in Nigeria.
According to him, the committee had 10 experts and representations from the Ministries of Education, Environment, Agriculture and Water Resources as well as Information.
He said the committee would jointly with the Ministry and Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) design an effective response plan for fighting and preventing the spread of Lassa fever in Nigeria.
He enjoined the committee to offer professional advice to NCDC and the ministry to arrest current and future Lassa fever outbreaks in the country.
“They would also provide a holistic guidance on one health approach to the eradication of Haemorrhagic fever outbreaks in Nigeria.
“The committee will galvanise financial support and move same to stakeholders and development partners, adding that the WHO, UNICEF and American CDC pledges support to the Ministry in this regards.
“The committee would implement the strategic plan under the guidance of the Minister, guide the minister on the emergency operations and activities carried out at the early infection stage.’’
Adewole also advised the committee on the judicious use of the fund provided for the assignment, adding that funding is not the problem in the ministry.
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Responding, Tomori pledged that his committee will do the needful to ensure the eradication of the disease.
The chairman assured that his committee would work assiduously to halt and eradicate Lassa fever in the country. (NAN)
