The Benue State Ministry of Health and Human Services has held a high-level meeting with key stakeholders and development partners to intensify efforts to control the ongoing Lassa fever outbreak in the state.
Speaking during the meeting on Thursday, the Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr. Paul Ogwuche, welcomed representatives of partner organisations and health experts, thanking them for their continued support in tackling the public health challenge.
Ogwuche explained that the meeting became necessary following the steady rise in reported Lassa fever cases since the outbreak was officially declared on February 3, 2026.
He stressed that strong collaboration among stakeholders would be crucial in managing the situation and protecting residents.
“We appreciate the presence and commitment of our partners who have continued to support Benue State in addressing this outbreak.
Through collaboration, we can strengthen our response and safeguard the health of our people,” the commissioner said.
The session brought together representatives from major health organisations such as the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), the World Health Organization (WHO), the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), and Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), all supporting the state’s emergency response.
At the meeting, the WHO donated Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to the ministry to support frontline health workers managing suspected and confirmed cases.
The support is expected to strengthen infection prevention measures and improve the safety of medical personnel.
WHO officials also emphasised the need for urgent interventions to reduce infections among healthcare workers and reinforce protective protocols in health facilities across the state.
The NCDC noted that earlier assessments identified gaps in surveillance, case management and infection prevention practices in some facilities. The agency recommended targeted measures to strengthen the state’s response capacity.
UNICEF outlined plans to intensify risk communication and community engagement campaigns aimed at raising awareness, encouraging early reporting of symptoms and promoting preventive measures among residents.
Médecins Sans Frontières also reaffirmed its readiness to provide technical and operational support to address immediate and medium-term challenges in controlling the outbreak.
Ogwuche commended the development partners for their support and reiterated the Benue State Government’s commitment to improving coordination and addressing identified gaps in the health system.
He added that the ongoing response aligns with the health development agenda of Governor Hyacinth Alia, which focuses on strengthening healthcare services and improving the wellbeing of residents.
The partners also pledged to enhance coordination, expand technical support and implement strategies aimed at bringing the outbreak under control.
As part of the response efforts, stakeholders inspected designated isolation centres and molecular laboratories in the state to assess their operational capacity and identify areas that require urgent intervention.
