As part of efforts to prevent the spread of diphtheria and other communicable diseases to the state, the Anambra State Government has embarked on a two-day training for Disease Surveillance and Notification Officers.
The state’s Commissioner for Health, Dr Afam Obidike, while declaring the training open on Tuesday in Awka, the state capital, explained that the training was necessary based on the growing concerns over the current outback of diphtheria in several states across the country.
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He explained that no fewer than 11,000 suspected cases had been recorded in the country and the state needed to put precautionary measures in place.
The surveillance officers, the commissioner revealed, were drawn from the 21 local government areas of the state, adding that the training was part of the government’s response to diphtheria outbreaks in the country.
He said, “The officers will be equipped with preventive skills and techniques on how to collect samples of any outbreak in their respective council areas and notify the relevant ministry or agency for prompt action.
“This is necessary, especially at this harmattan period, where some respiratory tract infections could be high.
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“We adopted these measures when the state witnessed monkeypox, Lassa fever, yellow fever and measles. We used the measure to identify diseases and have them treated or quarantined.”
Obidike urged the officers to take the training seriously for the good of the residents.
The state’s epidemiologist Earlier, Dr Chima Emembolu, on his part, revealed that the training was solely sponsored by the state government without support from any health partners in Nigeria and beyond.
“Gov. Chukwuma Soludo released funds so that we can be proactive and put measures in place to prevent the spread of Diphtheria to the state as well as respond promptly to any disease outbreak.
“We appreciate the state government for the support,” he added.
(NAN)
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