The Rivers State government has said it is doing all within its powers to stop the spread of Lassa fever in the state.
The State Commissioner for Health, Theophilus Odagme in an interview with newsmen in Port Harcourt said three holding centres had been set-up in the state to care for patients of the Lassa disease.
Odagme said the state government was making efforts to renovate the treatment centre at Oduoha in Emohua Local government, which he said was vandalised by thieves.
He also disclosed that a relative of the patient, who died of the disease, is currently being tested for Lassa fever in one of the holding centres.
The Commissioner assured that the state had a team of medical Health workers who were readily available to manage any emergency situation posed by the lassa fever.
“Right now we have three holding centres; one at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, another one at the Braithwait Memorial Teaching Hospital and another at the Port Johnson health centre in Port Harcourt.
“The state has started renovaying the centre that was used in 2014 during the Ebola outbreak. As I speak to you, that treatment centre has been vandalised.
He said, “at the Port Johnson Health centre we have a patient right now that has shown some symptoms. She is the daughter of one of the affected patients. Though she has not tested positive but we have started managing the patient.
“We have a team of doctors that are working with us. And not just doctors, we also have other health care workers and other support staff. We are ready to handle any situation.”
Odagme said Rivers State would be duly represented at the emergency stakeholders’ meeting called by the Federal government.
DAILYPOST
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