NAN-HG-15
Meningitis
By Wandoo Sombo 08032844054
Abuja, March 30, 2017 (NAN) The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has expressed concern about rising cases of deaths and ill-health following the outbreak of meningitis in some parts of the country.
The Acting Executive Secretary of the commission, Mrs Oti Ovrawah, said in a statement signed by the commission’s Head of Media, Fatimah Mohammad on Thursday in Abuja, that relevant stakeholders must act fast to avoid further loss of lives to meningitis.
Ovrawah noted that steps must be taken urgently to contain the outbreak.
She emphasised that the Federal Ministry of Health and its counterparts in the
states should, as a matter of urgency, take immediate and proactive steps through vaccination to protect citizens.
She said it was important to pay attention particularly to those living in the savanna region of the country, as the region maintained high atmospheric temperature which made residents prone to spread of meningitis.
She also noted the need for relevant stakeholders to quickly take steps to arrest the spread of Lassa Fever.
Ovrawah said the right to life could not be realised in the absence of comprehensive healthcare system and urged government at all levels to put in place result-oriented health promotion packages.
She implored the affected states of Zamfara, FCT and Katsina, as well as other states to quickly set up a task force of medical experts to render professional assistance and advice to affected persons. (NAN)
WS/HAS/HA
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Edited By Hajia Sani/Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu