The Nigerian Senate has observed the need for the Federal Ministry of Health and its counterpart ministries at the state level to work together with the World Health Organisation (WHO) to prevent further outbreaks of meningitis in the country.
The Upper Chamber, however, regretted that the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Zamfara, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto and Niger states are badly affected, with Zamfara State having the highest number of confirmed cases.
It, however, resolved to direct the Ministry of Health, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), and other relevant agencies to work with WHO to acquire sufficient Meningitis vaccines.
The Senate also, resolved that the Nigerian Police Force (NPF), National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and Prisons Service should put in place measures to prevent meningitis outbreaks in their domains.
This came after Senator Gbenga Ashafa, who represents Lagos West, moved a motion on “Outbreak of Meningitis: Urgent Need to Curb the Spread and Stop Further Deaths” during Tuesday’s plenary.
The Senate noted that it was aware that the NCDC had confirmed the outbreak of cerebral Spinal meningitis in five states, with at least 282 deaths, adding that as of March 30th, 2017, 1,966 suspected and 109 confirmed meningitis cases were recorded.
The Senate further noted that meningitis is mostly associated with overcrowding, and lack of ventilation, and it usually peaks during the November – April period, during the dry season.
It explained that the recent Meningitis type is a new strand called Stereotype C with the vaccine not being commercially viable.
Senator Sabi Abdullahi of Niger State weighed in on the discussion by pointing out that meningitis has affected his state and that the government must take proactive measures to stop its spread.
According to Senator Tijani Y. Kaura of Zamfara North, “the casualty figure in Zamfara State is even worse than reported.
