The Ebonyi State chapter of the Nigerian Medical Association, NMA, yesterday lamented the growing wave of Lassa Fever epidemic, which has between 2005 and 2018, claimed over 40 health workers and caused uncountable number of deaths in the state.
The doctors, who also protested the untimely death of two of their colleagues and a nurse who died following the outbreak of Lassa Fever virus in the state, were seen carrying placards with various inscriptions marching from the FETHA 1 to the front of Government House, Abakaliki where they were addressed by the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Health Services and former Commissioner for Health, Dr Sunday Nwangele.
Governor David Umahi had built and handed over a virology centre to the Federal Government, through the Federal Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki, on September, 5 2016, to curb this health hazard.
Arising from its emergency general meeting held at the Association of Resident Doctors, ARD, FETHA secretariat, Abakaliki, the Ebonyi State Branch of NMA, in a communiqué signed by its chairman, Dr. Ikwudinma Austin and Secretary, Dr. Ariom Anthony Ifeanyi, urged the Federal Government to promptly equip and activate to an optimal functioning capacity, the virology centre to serve the teaming population of Lassa fever patients in the state.