The Federal government had said that Lassa fever drug and
treatment was free all across Nigeria.
The Chief Executive Director of the Nigeria Centre for Disease
Control (NCDC), Dr Chikwe Ihekweazumade this known in a statement
released on Sunday.
He said the 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” in 2018.
In a statement, he said “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.”
He added: “Despite the significant costs, there has not been a
single day of stock-out of Ribavirin in any of the treatment
centres in Nigeria.
“No single patient has been deprived of care in in any of the
treatment centres in Nigeria because of their ability to pay. 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.
“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 Federal Government of Nigeria 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.”
The Federal government had said that Lassa fever drug and
treatment was free all across Nigeria.
The Chief Executive Director of the Nigeria Centre for Disease
Control (NCDC), Dr Chikwe Ihekweazumade this known in a statement
released on Sunday.
He said the 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” in 2018.
In a statement, he said “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.”
He added: “Despite the significant costs, there has not been a
single day of stock-out of Ribavirin in any of the treatment
centres in Nigeria.
“No single patient has been deprived of care in in any of the
treatment centres in Nigeria because of their ability to pay. 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.
“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 Federal Government of Nigeria 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.”
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