In a bid to improve treatment outcomes for Lassa fever, the NCDC has sent life-saving dialysis machines to Edo, Kaduna, Lagos, Nasarawa, and Plateau states.
Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja, NCDC Director-General, Jide Idris, said the machines, acquired through corporate and donor support, are intended to manage severe cases, particularly where patients develop kidney complications.
He emphasised that outbreak control requires strong collaboration between federal and state authorities. “The federal government can provide support and resources, but states must prioritise health and ensure systems are effectively implemented”, Idris said.
On the rising fatalities, he noted that environmental and behavioural factors in hotspot communities, such as frequent rodent-human contact, increase the risk of severe infection.
Addressing funding concerns, Idris acknowledged broader resource constraints but said response activities are ongoing within available budgets and through partnerships. He also highlighted Nigeria’s preparations to host the upcoming global Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) conference, describing it as an opportunity to showcase the country’s infectious disease control efforts.
Clarifying the agency’s mandate, Idris stated that the NCDC focuses solely on infectious diseases, while non-communicable conditions fall outside its responsibility.
He concluded by urging stronger collaboration between federal and state authorities to reduce Lassa fever fatalities and improve outbreak preparedness across the country.
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