More than 56 individuals have died of meningitis in Nigeria, according to a statement released on Wednesday, October 5 by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).
Ifedayo Adetifa, the director-general of the organisation, disclosed that 961 cases of the illness have already been identified in 2022.
The organisation works to increase awareness of the rapidly expanding disease because October 5, is World Meningitis Day. According to Adetifa’s statement, which newsmen were able to obtain:
“CSM remains a priority disease and a constant public health threat in several countries around the world with frequent epidemics that present a challenge for people, health systems, economies, and societies, despite significant progress in surveillance, diagnostic capacity, and vaccine development over the last few years.
In order to do this, the Nigeria Center for Disease Control and Prevention joined the international community in launching the global plan to eradicate meningitis by 2030. The World Health Assembly approved the worldwide strategy for Defeating Meningitis by 2030 in November 2020. This strategy needs to be aligned and translated locally, especially in Nigeria, where meningitis is still one of many frequently coexisting public health issues.
“This road map sets a comprehensive vision for 2030 “Towards a world free of meningitis,” with three strategic goals: end bacterial meningitis epidemics; cut cases of vaccine-preventable bacterial meningitis by 50%; reduce deaths by 70%; and reduce disability and improve quality of life following meningitis infection of any cause.
In an effort to increase readiness, identification, and response to meningitis outbreaks, the NCDC reaffirmed its commitment to working with impacted states to improve surveillance given the underreporting of cases and carry out strategic prevention and control efforts.
Adetifa claims that the organisation has a functioning National CSM Technical Working Group that has collaborated with stakeholders and partners to create standards, check lists, and Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for meningitis response.
He added: “We are also aiming to improve subnational meningitis surveillance, particularly in high-burden states. A National CSM Epidemic Preparedness & Response strategy has also been created with the assistance of partners. There is currently a nationwide network of 29 public laboratories with the ability to diagnose CSM. We keep providing technical assistance for state planning and capacity building for states in support of meningitis prevention and control.
Meningitis must be eradicated from the world, but this aim requires strong support from Nigerians and political leaders at all levels of government. To guarantee that no one is left behind in the fight against meningitis, we continue to collaborate with the Federal Ministry of Health, our sister organisation, the Nigeria Primary Health Care Development Agency, and other partners.
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