Lassa Fever: Obaseki Calls for help  over rising cases, says over 50 persons infected

… Condemns Minister of Health For Insensitivity To Plight

By Titus Oise, Benin City

THE Edo State Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki has disclosed that over 50 persons have been infected with Lassa Fever since its outbreak in the state, just as he pegged the fatality rate at five percent.

Obaseki, disclosed this through the Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Hon Chris Osa Nehikhare.

He said the cry has become necessary because the state has done much in its power to manage the situation but has been overwhelmed by it.

Nehikhare said the state has reached out to the federal government for help in fighting the scourge but it has not responded. 

According to him,”I know you are all following the case of the Lassa Fever and how the state government is trying to tackle it. 

“We have reached out to the federal government but to all intent and purposes, but the federal government has abandoned the state government and its people in this issue. 

“Lassa Fever as at today (Wednesday), we have over 50 people infected with this disease in Edo and we have five percent fatality rate which is very high even compared to COVID-19 . 

“With all plea and entreaties to the federal government, they have fallen on a deaf ear”, he said.

He said the more worrisome situation is that, the Minister of health, Osagie Ehanire, who hails from the state and should have helped in drawing the attention of the federal government to the plight of the people of his state has not shown any concerns.

He said the state having made frantic efforts to get help from the federal government and its agencies but to no avail, while calling on the international communities, World Health Organization (WHO),United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and other health agencies to come to the aid of the people of the state before the situation gets out of control.