From Okey Sampson, Umuahia
The Federal Ministry of Health has declared Abia state free of river blindness. With the clear slate, Abia is no longer in the league of states where the disease persist.
Commissioner for Information, Okey Kanu who made this known while briefing journalists at Government House Umuahia, said this was coming after 30 years of mass drug administration to control the disease.
Kanu equally said the State Ministry of Health has issued an urgent health advisory regarding the outbreak of diphtheria in Imo state, a neighbouring state and outlined certain preventive measures.
These preventive measures according to him include; vaccination for children and adults who are not sure of their diphtheria status, parents being vigilant to take note of any child that shows any symptoms of the disease and take him to the hospital, good hygiene practices, community vigilance among others.
He advised citizens to report any suspected case to local health authorities, and urged stakeholders to help to disseminate the information
Kanu used the occasion to inform that Abia State Government will in the next few weeks commence the commissioning and flagging off of over 55 various projects across the state.
He said the commissioning and flagging off of the projects are part of the massive infrastructural transformation agenda of the state Governor, Dr. Alex Otti.
“A breakdown shows that 42 projects will be commissioned, while 13 new projects will be flagged off. This brings the number to a total of 55.
He listed the projects to include; 17 primary health centres across 17 LGAs of the state, 14 road projects for commissioning, additional projects across different MDAs, adding that, the dates, locations and venues for the events would be made public very soon.
He frowned at motorists who violate traffick rules in the state, adding that
the State Ministry of Transport, has established an enforcement team to enforce the driving against traffic that has become prevalent in state.