Nigeria gets $290,000 equipment from AfDB over Lassa fever

The Federal Government has received a donation of health equipment worth $290,000 from African Development Bank as a support to address the outbreak of Lassa fever and other current health challenges in the country.

The equipment, which includes two ambulances, 30 Bajaj motorcycles, 34 safety boxes and other items, were procured by the World Health Organisation with funding from AfDB.

A statement by the Director (Media and Public Relations) in the Ministry of Health, Mrs. Boade Akinola, on Friday said the Country Director of WHO, Dr. Rui Gama Vaz, presented the equipment to the Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole in Abuja.

According to him, the equipment was initially to curtail the spread of Ebola epidemic, however since Nigeria has succeeded in curtailing Ebola, it can be used to address other epidemic.

“We are

here to deliver to the Ministry of Health the equipment that was purchased with fund from the AfDB as part of the Ebola response, however, since Ebola has been contained, we can use these commodities and supply to help in response to any other epidemic,” Vaz stated.

Also speaking, the Country Director of AfDB, Ousmane Dore, commended the Federal Government for the way and manner it handled the Ebola virus epidemic.

“We would like, on behalf of the President, AfDB to express to you our sincere commendation for the way in which Nigerian Government was able to arrest the spread of the Ebola disease for which the Bank had earmarked some resources to help you in the fight,” he said.

Dore said the quick response by Nigeria government led international communities to be assured that the political will and determination of the government in the fight against Ebola was serious.

Receiving the equipment, Adewole said that the equipment would help Nigeria to Prepare against any eventuality that may occur.

He said, “We thank you very sincerely and we need more, this is just the beginning the whole World must be prepared for eventualities as global warming is bringing quite a number of challenges in the health sector, yesterday was Lassa, day before yesterday was Ebola today and tomorrow is Zika virus and we don’t know what would happen tomorrow and thereafter.

“The most important things is that we must be prepare at all time, these would help us to stay prepared and we still look forward to support our laboratories facilities and build the human system that would make the country ready for any epidemic.”