Abia State is said to be free from the Lassa fever outbreak that has ravaged some states in the country, with corresponding deaths recorded in certain instances.

Abia Commissioner for Information Okey Kanu, who disclosed this in Umuahia, said that despite the fact that no outbreak of the killer disease has been noticed in the state, the state’s Ministry of Health is working hard to ensure that all border towns leading to the state are kept under surveillance.

He urged residents to keep their surroundings clean at all times, as this will help to keep the disease at bay.

Kanu disclosed that the State Ministry of Health is collaborating with the Jimmy Carter Foundation on free hydrocele surgeries, revealing that so far, about 74 patients have been identified who will undergo the surgeries.

The Information Commissioner stated that the surgeries, which started on Monday, March 16, would be held at the Aba General Hospital, the Abia State Specialist Hospital in Umuahia, and the Nkporo Cottage Hospital.

Kanu also informed that the Abia State University Teaching Hospital (ABSUTH), Aba, has been awarded full accreditation by the West African Community of Physicians for the training of doctors in community medicine.

“This accreditation will last for a period of five years. Of course, it speaks to what that health facility has come out to be. We recall that when this government came into office, it met the hospital in a very sorry state.

They had lost their accreditation. The first thing we did was to get the accreditation back for many of their causes. Today, we are singing a different song.”

He said that the AMPA and Abia State Government collaborative free medical outreach would be taking place from April 11 to April 17, adding that free medical consultation, free general surgeries, free eye care and surgeries, and free training for health workers would be offered, while the venues for the medical outreach would be the Aba General Hospital and Abia Specialist Hospital, Umuahia.

Kanu equally added that the Abia State government has commenced the implementation of the CONHESS salary scale for local government health workers.

He also said that the implementation of the Ministry of Health’s digital health is going on well and revealed that the construction of the Ukwa East General Hospital has started, and the contractor has a period of months to complete the work. (The Sun)