Monkeypox Outbreak: FG Is On Top Of The Situation – Don

The federal government of Nigeria is presently working round the clock to nip the outbreak of the suspected cases of monkeypox ravaging few states in the bud. This definitive and assertive statement was made by the director, African Centre of Excellence for Genomic of Infectious Diseases ACEGID, Redeemers` University, Ede, Osun State, Prof. Christian Happi when he conducted journalists round the centre for an on-the-spot assessment of research efforts  on monkeypox

Prof. Happi said the PMB led administration should be commended for the new breathe of life into Nigeria`s health sector, spirited efforts and determination of the federal ministry of health to move from the orthodox curative methodology of yesteryears to the global age preventive medicine to fight the scourge of infectious disease, ravaging the country. In his words, “ever since we were sent samples of  suspected patients of the monkeypox outbreak in Bayelsa, Ekiti and Lagos states, the honourable minister of health, prof. Isaac adewole has kept close contact with this centre to know the outcome of the analyzed samples. He commissioned us as a point of primary reference to determine the exact causative organism for the pox, part of which is to ascertain whether it is truly monkeypox or not”

The report of the samples taken which is presently undergoing analysis in our well-equipped laboratory will be out by the weekend, while the result WHO reference laboratory in Dakar Senegal will be secondary and second opinion as allowed in medical field. Happi further stated, that “it will interest you to know this same centre was where the  case of Ebola infectious disease was analyzed and discovered in 2014, and this is to tell you that Nigeria is abundantly blessed with human and material resources to solve and overcome its present challenges.

We have a collaborative partnership as a centre: ACEGID, the federal ministry of health and the national centre for disease control NCDC to determine the causative factors, therapeutic procedures and management of infectious disease in the country as ebola, lassa , chickenpox and monkeypox .The laboratory result will specifically ascertain if the ongoing outbreak is the central Africa monkeypox or that of the west Africa own which is more milder.

Earlier, the Acting VC of the university, Dr Emmanuel Adebayo while lamenting the neglect they have suffered in the hands of the previous administration of former president, goodluck jonathan for their efforts during Ebola crisis, till today we have not been appreciated, recognized or paid, the institution was still being owed a substantial sum of money for the job successfully carried out.

The commissioner for innovation, science and technology for the state of osun who was part of the government delegation to the centre applauded ACEGID for their forthrightness and steadfastness in contributing to the field of medicine through their various interventions. I must commend this laudable innovation of making this centre a reference point in Nigeria and as a government, we will work out robust partnership to sustain the various inventions for the benefit of mankind. The amiable governor of the state of osun, ogbeni rauf aregbesola has also directed that we constitute osun science and technology research council which will be saddled with the responsibility of promoting research outputs of the all tertiary institutions scattered across the length and breadth of osun to local and international investors for the economic advancement of the state and Nigeria in general.