In response to the growing threat of Lassa fever in Nigeria, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Muhammad Pate, has taken decisive action by assembling a task force dedicated to orchestrating the development of a reliable Lassa fever vaccine within the country.
This development was disclosed in a statement from the office of the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, dated September 15, 2023 and directed to the Chief Medical Director of the Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital, of which a copy was made available to Truth Live News.
Truth Live News reports that the task team comprises key figures from various healthcare sectors, including the Director-General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), the Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), representatives from the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), and other eminent experts in virology and epidemiology.
The mission of this committee, Truth Live News understands, encompasses a wide range of responsibilities, including evaluating existing research on Lassa fever, identifying critical research areas, establishing a detailed vaccine development plan, fostering collaboration among stakeholders, sourcing funding, instituting an effective surveillance system, liaising with international health bodies, ensuring ethical and regulatory compliance, and providing regular updates to the Ministry.
The official inauguration of this critical committee is scheduled for Tuesday, 19th September, 2023, at 10 am in the Permanent Secretary’s conference room.
Notably, this task team will operate for an initial period of 12 months, with potential extensions, contingent upon the approval of the Coordinating Honourable Minister.
The Ministry of Health, according to the statement, expressed its firm commitment to combat Lassa fever and assured the public of its dedication to safeguarding public health.