Nigeria battled several health challenges amid a global pandemic in 2020;
While the country’s response to the global pandemic is commendable, diverted resources marred its approach to its indigenous endemics;
Chief of which remained Lassa fever and Yellow fever;
Expert charged citizens to be more responsible and adhere to all health procedures in the future.
As the curtains fall on a perilous 2020, Dataphyte rewinds the tape on some of the most pressing health challenges Nigeria faced. Besides the COVID-19 pandemic, Africa’s most populous nation battled its fair share of epidemics. This split focus truly tested the limits of an already struggling health system. Now, in reality, these health challenges are not novel. Still, given the novel virus’s unending state, extra caution is advised—caution in planning, vigilance in monitoring and prudence in funding.
Coronavirus: 12,126 active cases and counting
One would have had to be under a literal rock, or perhaps comatose not to know of the Coronavirus. Dubbed COVID-19, this novel virus has wreaked great havoc globally, claiming lives and devastating economies. Interestingly, while this year took the brunt of its desolation, scientists first discovered the novel coronavirus last December in Wuhan City, China. But for many, COVID-19 is every bit a 2020 disease, judging by the death toll recorded this year alone.
For Nigeria, her first index case on February 27, ended conjecture that alleged COVID-19 was perhaps a ‘white man disease’. Subsequently, many assumed it was a condition for the affluent, given all the positives for political officeholders. Notwithstanding the misinformation, the case numbers increased, necessitating a government-mandated lockdown. First partial, then full. A move that in many regards, led to Nigeria’s second recession in five years.
As it stands, Nigeria is facing a second wave of COVID-19, with 84, 414 confirmed cases as at 27th December 2020, per the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC). Not to mention the institution warns of another variant of Covid-19. Many have predicted a second lockdown; after all, the UK has had three! However, this prediction does not agree with all, as experts kick against the idea of another lockdown. And given the economic aftermath of the first, who can blame them? But something has to give moving into 2021. And it cannot just be a game of attrition in wait for ‘the vaccine’.
For William Adeyemi, vice-chairman, Nigeria Medical Association Kogi State, it requires personal responsibility from Nigerians. The health practitioner charged everyday Nigerians to be cautious and adhere to NCDC regulations regarding the novel virus. Also, public awareness on the part of the government cannot let up, now more than ever. So, health campaigns, ads and vox pop should be all the rage in 2021, particularly in rural Nigeria.
Lassa fever features 1175 cases and 242 deaths.
Nigeria also battled Lassa fever alongside COVID-19 this year. The World Health Organisation (WHO) reported that at least 472 Lassa fever cases were reported between January 1st and February 9th 2020. The organisation further declared that 26 states of the federation are affected from which Edo states, Ondo states and Ebonyi took significant numbers of 167, 156 and 30 respectively.
But unlike COVID-19, this haemorrhage fever is a common phenomenon in the Nigerian health repertoire, having debuted in 1969. However, this added burden amid a global pandemic came at extreme costs, as the latter often necessitated more attention. A Dataphyte analysis had previously noted how the Technical Director of the National Malaria Elimination Programme bemoaned the diversion of resources and attention his programme suffered.
So far, the fever has claimed over 242 lives, with 1175 cases in 27 states. But while Lassa Fever fatalities represent hardly a fraction of COVID-19’s body count, NCDC estimates its mortality rate at 20.6% against COVID-19’s 7.3% (going by Nigerian figures). So in essence, COVID-19 while more contagious is not nearly as fatal as Lassa Fever. Not to mention 80% of Lassa Fever carries appear asymptomatic, according to the WHO. Despite this, the awareness, strategies or emphasis accorded Lassa Fever is incomparable to the global pandemic. This has to change in the new year.
Yellow fever with 108 incidences and 17 fatalities
Yellow fever is a deadly disease caused by mosquito bites. And like Lassa fever, debuted in 1969. Sadly, despite the fever’s long time frame of existence in the country, Nigeria cannot find a lasting solution to eradicate the dangerous fever.
Health experts have suggested periodic vaccination and avoiding mosquitoes bites as the perfect ways of preventing this fever from spreading and causing mortality.
Despite numerous suggestions, platitudes abound as the country still experienced the horrid yellow fever outbreak in 2020. In October 2020 a cluster of deaths was reported with the symptoms of yellow fever in Delta state. Later, the World Health Organisation reported other cases, corroborating a Lassa Fever outbreak in November.
Subsequently, the NCDC declared the outbreak of yellow fever in Delta state and Enugu state. Meanwhile, in its week 50 yellow fever report on 18th December, the agency announced that 108 cases of yellow fever had been confirmed cumulatively from 11 states, with 17 death cases. Again, this highlights the importance of awareness, akin to Mr Adeyemi’s plea.
“I think there is a need for public awareness regarding these diseases, and people need to know that they need to be vaccinated (yellow fever, for example). Although the government is trying its best, people need to see the implication of these things and try to live healthily.”
William Adeyemi, Vice-chairman, Nigeria Medical Association Kogi State