In curbing the wide spread of the dreaded Lassa fever, the federal
government has cleared the air concerning the handling of dead bodies by
relatives of the deceased by stating that they would be allowed to do
so as religious and cultural beliefs must be respected.
The Chief Executive Officer of the National Centre for Disease
Control (NCDC), Dr Abdusalam Nasidi, made the views and observations on
Tuesday at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs during the emergency National
Council on Health on Lassa fever outbreak.
He said relatives of the deceased must oblige to disinfect dead
bodies which should be carried before and after in double body bags as
well as ensuring that graves are dug very deep.
“Families will not be denied the bodies of their deceased relatines
because there must be respect for religious and cultural beliefs. The
real problem is that the culture of some people to wash dead bodies
before burial. However, we warn against contact with the bodies as a bid
towards curtailing the virus.
“Relatives will have to ensure that the bodies of the deceased are
disinfected with chlorine and it is recommend that the bodies should be
packaged in double body bags. We also advise that graves must be dug
very deep.”
In thesame vein, a male patient who tested positive to the disease
was reported to have escaped from a hospital in Ebonyi state to an
unknown destination.
The minister of health, Prof Isaac Adewole who expressed dismay
concerning the situation stated that the patient could not have
absconded on his own without the help of some of the healthcare givers
in the hospital and has so far directed that the patient must be looked
for and treated immediately.
“He should be traced and taken back to the facility. He should be
reassured that he will live if the treatment is done promptly as he
could not have absconded on his own without the support of the health
officers.
He lamented that so much is been expected from the Ebonyi state
government as it has not done enough. He said there was no need for
patients to be transferred to Irrua in Edo state when the state has a
functional healthcare centre.
