Striving for a #LassaFreeLagos with Mothers at the Ondo West PHC
Aremu Oluwatosin and Ojikutu Olakitan
Alert Officers from Lagos Mainland and Mushin Local Government
The Ondo West Primary Healthcare Centre (PHC) is located within the Lagos Mainland Local Government, at No 2 Ondo street, Ebute-Metta West, Lagos.
The Ondo West PHC provides healthcare services, from vaccinations to maternity and childcare services. One of the most popular services is the weekly well baby check, where mothers of children under the age of five years present to the PHC with their children. The centre is often crowded. The Alert Officers of Lagos Mainland and Mushin LGA, paid the Ondo West PHC nursing mothers a visit today.
This visit was facilitated by the support of the Lagos Mainland health officials, the Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Ubani, Mrs. Akinterinwa the Health Educator and the Matron, Mrs Atanda Salau. We were granted a willing audience.
We spoke on Lassa Fever preventive measures and also symptoms associated with the disease. Some mothers in the audience were not aware of the ongoing outbreak of the disease and were therefore very attentive and responsive.
We also informed them of the importance of reporting if they notice any symptoms of Lassa fever. This was a timely discussion, as the mothers also mentioned that they are usually sensitized on proper hygiene, cleanliness of the environment and good handwashing practices for prevention of diseases.
These were some of the questions asked by the mothers in our audience:
- Is Lassa fever spread by rats and rodents only?
- Can cockroaches also cause the spread of Lassa fever?
- If someone shows the symptoms discussed, can one immediately conclude that the person has Lassa fever?
The #LassaFreeLagos campaign continues today. Look out for symptoms of Lassa Fever, and remember that early reporting saves lives!
