Ebonyi State has been hit hard by Lassa fever outbreak, with 23 deaths recorded from 48 confirmed cases between January and December 2024. Governor Francis Nwifuru revealed this during an event organized by the state health ministry in Abakaliki.
To address the health crisis and improve healthcare access in rural areas, the state government plans to establish a specialist hospital in each of its three senatorial zones. The government also prioritizes strengthening public health infrastructure, surveillance systems, and community engagement to prevent and control outbreaks like Lassa fever and cholera.
Governor Nwifuru expressed gratitude to organizations like Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) for their support in combating Lassa fever in the state. He emphasized the government’s commitment to tackling the disease and ensuring the well-being of Ebonyi State residents.
“In Ebonyi State, we have recorded 394 suspected cases since January till date with 48 confirmed cases out of which 23 persons died of the disease while 25 were treated and discharged home”.
“The spread of this virus is believed to be facilitated by socio-cultural practice, poor health-seeking behaviours, poor environmental sanitation and lack of awareness”.
“Our administration is committed to ensuring that every Ebonyi citizen enjoys basic, affordable, quality and accessible healthcare through our numerous interventions such as employment of qualified personnel to work in our hospitals, procurement of hospital equipment and consumables”.
“To underscore the importance we attach to the health of our people, substantial provisions were made in our 2025 budget. This is in addition to our resolve to establish a specialist hospital in each of the three senatorial zones of our dear state”
