The Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists of Nigeria (AMLSN) has warned the Federal Government on a pending outbreak of seasonal meningitis and cholera.
The Vanguard reports that AMLSN blames this possible development on the neglect of medical laboratories services and facilities across the country.
The AMLSN warns the government on seasonal meningitis and cholera
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The warning came during the weekend in Lagos. The AMLSN says that the outbreak of Lassa fever has exposed the country’s failure to strengthen the health system.
Dr Casmier Ifeanyi said at the 14th Public Health Lecture Series of AMLSN that five laboratories were grossly inadequate to cater for over 200 million people at risk of Lassa fever. He also noted that before the coming of the present Director-General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, only the Irrua Specialist hospital laboratory had the capacity to diagnose Lassa fever in the country.
Also, with Nigeria among the 13 countries on the WHO watch list for coronavirus epidemic, Dr Ifeanyi expressed concern that not much has been done to build the capacity of the Nigerian health workforce.
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Especially in the workforce in medical laboratories in the area of diagnosis and containment of the ravaging COVID-19. Which has claimed the lives of several hundreds of people in China among others.
Ifeanyi revealed that a number of AMLSN members are presently aboard on training on COVID-19 diagnosis testing device. He noted that Nigeria is usually overwhelmed during outbreaks. Hence, the country should prepare early for cholera and meningitis.
Unfortunately, the country hasn’t been able to produce vaccines and now depends on importation. He also explains that due to the personal gain from importation, efforts to develop vaccines are disrupted.
Safety tips for meningitis
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To stay safe from meningitis, take the following preventive measures.
- Wash your hands: Washing your hands regularly prevents germs and infections from spreading. Educate your kids on the importance of washing their hands before eating and after using the toilet. Also, show them how to thoroughly wash and rinse their hands.
- Make your health a priority: Making your health a priority involves a few things. They include balancing your diet and exercising regularly. Staying healthy helps keep your immune system strong. Your immune system plays an important role in fighting diseases.
- Practise good hygiene: To practise good hygiene, keep personal items personal. Do not share items like towels, cutlery, brushes, straws, etc.
- Cover your mouth: Bacteria enter the air in different ways. When you sneeze, cover your mouth, but don’t use your palm. Instead, sneeze or cough into a handkerchief or your elbow.
Also read: Meningitis: Wetin E Be And How We Go Fit Avoid Am?
Source: The Vanguard
