Medical experts have asked the Federal Government to take immediate action in combating monkey pox. They also warned against complacency among Nigerians. They called after the Nigeria Centers for Disease Control reported that the disease had spread to 15 states in the country.
Experts say there is a need for greater surveillance and more awareness in the country to reduce the spread of disease.
Meanwhile the latest Monkeypox situation report by NCDC revealed that 36 cases had been confirmed in 15 states.
States with confirmed cases, by center, are Lagos (7), Adamawa (5), Delta (3), River (3), Cross River (2), FCT (2), Canoe (2), Bayelsa (2), Edo (2), Imo (2), Plateau (2), Nasarawa (1), Niger (1), Oyo (1) and Ondo (1).
Professor of Public Health, Tanimola Akande, refers the situation to as unfortunate and that there was not much attention to monkey pox like COVID-19.
He said, “The situation is sad, it is a systemic issue. Except other forces from other countries spur us to action, we hardly take action, but it doesn’t have to be; we should be able to carry out awareness on our own.
“There are various bodies responsible for creating awareness at all levels; from the Federal Government to the local governments and the health departments, they should be involved in creating awareness among the people on the radio, television but once there is no provision of funds for such a thing, it will not be done and that is unfortunate.”
SKJ