The Federal Government of Nigeria has counted diphtheria, meningitis, Lassa fever, cholera and COVID-19 as some infectious diseases presently circulating in the country.
Speaking at ministerial press briefing on update on COVID-19 response and development in the health sector, the Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire described diphtheria as a vaccine-preventable disease; which can be curbed if people take necessary vaccination.
He decried the spate of fake news circulating on social media, which according to him, is capable of causing panic.
Dr Ehanire said health matters are joint responsibilities of government at all levels, communities and individuals, adding that the federal government has fulfilled its part.
In his speech, the Director of Planning, Research and Statistics, National Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr. Garuba Bulama, revealed the country targeted vaccinating of at least seventy percent of the eligible population of eighteen years and above, but as at twentieth January, 2023, it had fully vaccinated fifty-six point two percent of eligible persons, while sixty-six point four percent of eligible persons have taken at least one dose of the vaccine, and a total of ten million, three hundred and ninety thousand nine hundred and eleven persons have received Booster dose.
According to him, thirteen states have so far achieved the seventy percent and above full vaccination of their eligible population, while sixteen other low-performing states have less than forty percent coverage; just as seven states have less than twenty percent full vaccination coverage.
The Director General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, NCDC, Dr. Ifedayo Adetifa, represented by his Director, Special Duties, Dr. Priscilla Ibekwe urged Nigerians to join the fight to control and prevent infectious diseases nationally.
Dr. Bitrus-Ogheoghorie Deborah, of the Department of Hospital Services, said there are plans to use the COVID-19 response mechanism funds for training of healthcare workers on diagnosis and management of infectious diseases, emergency preparedness synergies and mitigation strategies, as well as relevant modules being developed to support frontline health workers.
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