----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Nigeria's House of Representatives on Tuesday, 10th October 2017 summoned the Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole to appear before it to explain measures being taken to curb the outbreak of monkeypox across the country.
The National Coordinator cum Chief Executive Officer of the National Centre for Disease Control, Chikwe Ihekweazu had earlier confirmed that 31 cases of the disease had been recorded already in seven states.
In a motion raised by Mr. Diri Douye, under matters of urgent national importance, the lawmaker said it was alarming that the disease was spreading fast while it appeared that the ministry was helpless without the aid of the World Health Organisation (WHO).
He expressed shock that a country like Nigeria did not have a laboratory to respond to the health emergencies, thus decided to send specimens to Dakar, Senegal for investigations.
Mr. Douye expressed his displeasure that the minister admitted that Nigeria was helpless.
“The House is concerned by the shocking admission of Adewole that Monkeypox could not be confirmed in Nigeria until laboratory investigations by the WHO and referral to Dakar, Senegal.”
Hence, the house in a unanimous vote agreed to summon the health minister to appear before its members.
Just yesterday being Monday, 9th October 2017, it was reported that two suspected cases of Monkeypox virus had been recorded in the country's largest city, Lagos.
Scripted by: Rostrum
No comments:
Post a Comment