The federal government has debunked a media report which revealed that the high cost of treating Lassa Fever was responsible for the high mortality rate recorded so far in the country.

A statement issued by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) and signed by its chief executive officer, Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu, stated that federal government has ensured that Ribavirin, the major drug used for the treatment of Lassa Fever, has been provided free-of-charge to patients, ‘for every single case of Lassa fever reported in Nigeria.’ The statement said “We read with surprise the headline in the Nigerian Guardian newspaper on Sunday March 11 2018 stating that the prohibitive cost of treatment is engendering high mortality from Lassa fever.

While we acknowledge the high cost of treating Lassa fever cases in Nigeria, especially the cost of the drug Ribavirin, we want to state unequivocally that the Federal Government of Nigeria has ensured that Ribavirin has been provided free-of-charge to patients, for every single case of Lassa fever reported in Nigeria in 2018. “Despite the significant costs, there has not been a single day of stock-out of Ribavirin in any of the treatment centres in Nigeria.

In addition to this, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control has ensured that every state in Nigeria has an emergency stock of Ribavirin available to manage cases, ‘he stated. The statement added “In addition to Ribavirin, the treatment centres have been provided with other essential commodities required for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of Lassa Fever cases.

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has had rapid response teams, supporting the state governments of Edo, Ondo and Ebonyi for six weeks supporting all aspects of the response. “The state governments of the Edo, Ondo and Ebonyi States, with the highest burden of Lassa fever have also contributed significantly to the management of cases, ensuring that every single patient received the best treatment possible. All three state governments have supported treatment centres with dialysis machines and other equipment necessary for the treatment of Lassa fever patients.

The spokesman added that NCDC has regularly kept Nigerians updated on its efforts to control the Lassa fever outbreak through regular situation reports available on its website (http://www.ncdc.gov.ng/diseases/sitreps), as well as regular press interviews including the Nigerian Guardian Newspaper. Unfortunately, the newspaper house did not contact NCDC to confirm this statement before going to press.” The statement noted that the Minister of Health, Professor Isaac Adewole acknowledged and welcome the support of Non-Governmental Organisations such as the Alliance for International Medical Action (ALIMA), “as they have come to support existing efforts by the Federal Government and State Governments who continue to lead the response to the Lassa fever outbreak”.

The statement also added that the federal government accepts primary responsibility for the response, a responsibility that we take very seriously.” “The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) assures Nigerians that everything possible is being done, not only to respond to this outbreak, but to also build our capacity to prevent, detect and respond to future cases of Lassa fever in Nigeria. We urge Nigerians to continue supporting the diligent work being done by Nigerian healthcare workers across the country in this response. Once again, for further updates on the current Lassa fever situation in Nigeria, contact the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) on www.ncdc.gov.ng.”

http://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/03/treatment-for-lassa-fever-is-free-fg.html

Y don't I trust the Federal Government again ?

we need prevention not Treatment... Mr FG

Buhari is a God fearing man who has the interest of the masses at heart. Something GEJ couldn't do for years with all the oil wealth of his regime, Buhari has done it by making sure Nigerians get free medical care. We need to vote for this man as a sign of appreciation for his good works. Why the igbos hate him is still a mystery to sane minds

You mean only the drug is free,

Hmmmm......... Can anytin good come out of FG?

Yes it should

cinoedhunter:
Y don't I trust the Federal Government again ?

You are not alone

Why should it be free,
Is treatment for gonorrhea free?

NwaAmaikpe:



Why should it be free,
Is treatment for gonorrhea free?

bros no dey smoke that thing

NwaAmaikpe:


Why should it be free, Is treatment for gonorrhea free?

bros no dey smoke that thing

Free kwa


Abeg e go scarce, I no trust govt

Oya make una come dey hmmmmmm

Of course it's free. Just like driving license is 5k and passport is 15k.

Are these treatments facility easily accessible? The doctor that died from it was being transported from Kogi to Edo state when he gave up the ghost. A lot of these so-called government policies favouring the masses are on paper only.

Purewatermeji:
Buhari is a God fearing man who has the interest of the masses at heart. Something GEJ couldn't do for years with all the oil wealth of his regime, Buhari has done it by making sure Nigerians get free medical care. We need to vote for this man as a sign of appreciation for his good works. Why the igbos hate him is still a mystery to sane minds

ODE, ebola was contained during GEJ time such dat d white came to Nigeria to see how we did it, two years down d road ur god buhari has left lassa fever ravaging and taking lives.

if it was present day ebola happened i believe Nigeria would have been declared danger zone

APC a party dat has used d blood of Nigerians to do bathing water even water is not as abused as d way blood has been let to flow in dis administration

common sense is not common sha

Shaaaaaarraaaapppp!!!!! we spent almost a 100k in treating my cousin in a federal teaching hospital

Purewatermeji:
Buhari is a God fearing man who has the interest of the masses at heart. Something GEJ couldn't do for years with all the oil wealth of his regime, Buhari has done it by making sure Nigerians get free medical care. We need to vote for this man as a sign of appreciation for his good works. Why the igbos hate him is still a mystery to sane minds

another lie, they say treatment of Lassa Fever is free, when we spent almost a 100k in treating my cousin in a federal teaching hospital

dominique:
Are treatments facility easily accessible? The doctor that died from it was being transported from Kogi to Edo state when he gave up the ghost. A lot of these so-called government policies favouring the masses are on paper only.

another lie, i live in Edo. they say treatment of Lassa Fever is free, when we spent almost a 100k in treating my cousin in a federal teaching hospital

CHUKWUNOLOGICAL:


another lie, i live in Edo. they say treatment of Lassa Fever is free, when we spent almost a 100k in treating my cousin in a federal teaching hospital

Can you imagine? This government is fond of misleading people. Hope your cousin is ok now?

THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAVE TRIED BASE ON THAT, BUT WILL THESAME FEDERAL MINISTRY OF HEALTH GIVE THE DRUGS TO PATIENTS FREE? WILL THE DOCTORS AND NURSES GIVE THE DRUGS TO THE NEEDY IN THE HOAPITAL WITHOUT COMPLAINING?

Haha
Jokers
Do you guys remember that doc that had a scare that he might have been infected?

Na lie! I know a doctor that contacted it. He spent close to 1.5million to treat himself at Irrua Specialist Hospital. This government can lie. Another doctor that contacted it had to start funding the bills on his own because waiting for the state health authority to come to your aid was like waiting for death sentence.

Na lie! I know a doctor that contacted it. He spent close to 1.5million to treat himself at Irrua Specialist Hospital. This government can lie. Another doctor that contacted it had to start funding the bills on his own because waiting for the state health authority to come to your aid was like waiting for death sentence.

dominique:


Can you imagine? This government is fond of misleading people. Hope your cousin is ok now?

yes, she is ok now, Thank you.

famzynet:
Na lie! I know a doctor that contacted it. He spent close to 1.5million to treat himself at Irrua Specialist Hospital. This government can lie. Another doctor that contacted it had to start funding the bills on his own because waiting for the state health authority to come to your aid was like waiting for death sentence.

Chai!! Can you imagine? Why does this govt like propaganda for goodness sake? See how they are just playing ludo with the lives of citizens. And why can't they have more testing centres in every senatorial zone in Nigeria? The only hospital where the test for Lassa Fever is carried out is in Irrua, Edo state. This slows down diagnosis and proper treatment!

Purewatermeji:
Buhari is a God fearing man who has the interest of the masses at heart. Something GEJ couldn't do for years with all the oil wealth of his regime, Buhari has done it by making sure Nigerians get free medical care. We need to vote for this man as a sign of appreciation for his good works. Why the igbos hate him is still a mystery to sane minds

You're insane, that's why you think others are

Wiseandtrue:

Please where do I get passport for N15k

Lol. 15k is the official price but i paid around 34K for mine at the immigration office at Awka last year. This is Nigeria and there is nowhere you can get documents at the official rate.

GabrielYulaw:


Lol. 15k is the official price but i paid around 34K for mine at the immigration office at Awka last year. This is Nigeria and there is nowhere you can get documents at the official rate.

I beg to differ! If government that claims is fighting corruption says international passport is N15,000 it should be N15,000

@ bolded is the bane of corruption! and that is why we are getting it wrong!

Later we would say things are not orderly in Nigeria

How can it be when we as citizens are encouraging it

Its shameful that the immigration office that is suppose to issue this document for N15,000 is collecting N30,000 (×2)

Its very shameful! what is the basis for it