Andrew Ajijah
The Executive Secretary, National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), Mohammed Nasir Sambo, has revealed that five medical personnel have been infected with Lassa fever disease, in Bauchi State and one of the doctors have died.
The NHIS Executive Secretary told journalists in an interview, in Jos, Plateau State, shortly after he presented a paper at the 36th Annual Scientific General National conference of the association holding, in Jos.
Sambo, was a guest speaker at the scientific conference, charged government at all levels and nongovernmental agencies to invest more in health sector.
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According to him, NHIS under his watch for past 100 days has rejuvenated the scheme to served Nigerians better. He revealed further that the agency was about recovering N40 billion missing health funds.
He said epidemiologists have a great task in proffering solutions to public health services, particularly in preventing the spread of communicable diseases such as the deadly Coronavirus.
Speaking at the event, national chairman of Association of Public Health Physicians of Nigeria (APHPA), Prof. Benjamin Uzochukwu, advised Nigerians to maintain observation of health tips as a means of preventing infection of coronavirus disease.
Said he, “Let us be mindful of the recent coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak in Nigeria.”
Prof Uzochukwu commended other health sectors for nipping in the bud the disease in Nigeria.
“I want to commend members of the association and the federal ministry of health through Nigeria centre for disease control.”
Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau State, in a good will message, appreciated APHPA for chosen Jos for the annual scientific conference, saying, the state would benefit immensely from it.
Governor Lalong was represented at the occasion by his Commissioner for Health Dr. Lar Ndam.
In an address, the Chief Medical Director of the Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH), Prof. Edmond Banwat, who is the chairman of the occasion, commended organisers of the conference for hosting the event.
Prof. Banwat said the theme for the scientific conference, tagged ‘Epidemiologic Transition and Implication for public health practice’ is apt.
The medical expert tasked all public health physicians in the country to proffer permanent solutions to the Coronavirus and Lassa fever epidemics in Nigeria.
Earlier, chairman local organising committe of the week-long conference, Dr. Moses Chingle, described Lassa fever as an ‘epidemic’ currently bedeviling Nigerians.
He said the committee of the conference has taken measures in ensuring that participants who travel far and near are safe from the coronavirus infection.
“The local organising committee has put in placed modalities to take appropriate history of travels and basic screening of all participants.”