Saturday 13 August 2011

Health minister seeks partnership with Edo on cancer, lassa fever

Minister of Health, Prof Christian Onyebuchi-Chukwu has solicited the support of the Edo State Government to create awareness and sensitise the people on the danger of cancer. He also appealed to the government o make Cancer screening centres available in the state.
Speaking during a courtesy visit to the Governor in Benin City, yesterday, the Minister said besides the state government’s efforts in fighting cancer, the state was the first in the country to pass a bill which was signed into law to monitor maternal mortality.
He said: “I want you sir, to use the Governors’ Forum to use their Houses of Assembly to do the same. One would also like to see what Edo state has done with that the Law. I want is to work together on the issue of the national health plan. ”
The Minister who lamented that many people die of Lassa fever in the country said “Lassa fever is common in Nigeria, and as long as we continue to treat every fever like malaria, people will continue to die of Lassa Fever.”
He urged the people to maintain a healthy lifestyle and keep their environments clean to fight the scourge of Lassa fever.
Responding, Governor Adams Oshiomhole expressed gratitude to the Federal Government for up grading facilities at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, noting that, “we are proud of what the hospital is doing”.
He lamented deaths attributed to Lassa fever, saying “we have a responsibility to encourage our people to do whatever can be done to prevent the spread of lassa fever”.
Comrade Oshiomhole with the Health Minister
Comrade Oshiomhole noted that government is dealing with rural healthcare challenges by opening up the rural areas, according to him, “the starting point to deliver on healthcare is that the rural community must be accessible, that is why we are opening up the areas in terms of roads.

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