The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has reshuffled the committee to enhance the state government’s response to the outbreak of Lassa fever epidemic.
The Commissioner for Health, Prof. Obehi Akoria, revealed this while briefing journalists after the weekly Edo State Executive Council (EXCO) meeting led by Governor Godwin Obaseki, at the Government House, in Benin City.
She said the committee is chaired by the Edo State Deputy, Rt. Hon. Comrade Philip Shaibu.
The Commissioner said that Edo has recorded 136 cases of Lassa fever since the outbreak of the epidemic in the state with a 13 percent fatality rate.
She said, “As of today, we have 136 cases of Lassa fever reported. Two local government areas are leading, including Etsako West and Esan West councils, which account for over 60 percent of total cases.
“The case fatality rate, which is the number of people that have died from Lassa fever, is 13 percent of 100 people who have contracted Lassa fever.”
She added, “The decision today was to intensify the ongoing response by getting the full support of the government to address what has been going on. The Deputy Governor, Mr. Philip Shaibu, is going to be leading this response and we are hoping that with the coordinated effort that we will be putting on board, we will defeat Lassa fever in the state.”
The Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Mr. Andrew Emwanta, also said that the Council dissolved the ward development committee with immediate effect.
Emwanta added, “The EXCO also approved a 72-hour rule that makes it compulsory for officials of the Edo State Government, including Commissioners, to treat files that come to them. This means that no file is expected to stay more than 72 hours untreated. A new query system has been established for defaulters.”
The Commissioner for Community and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr. Donald Okogbe, instructed all ward development committee members to hand over all government properties in their possession to Heads of Local Government Administration (HOLGA).
