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The federal government is introducing a funding mechanism to carter for patients with confirmed cases of Lassa fever in the country, the director-general, Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu, has said.
Ihekweazu told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) yesterday in Abuja that the aim of the healthcare fund was to ensure that “money does not become a hindrance” for patients in accessing treatment.
“We are making plans through the Basic Primary Healthcare Provision Fund, the new funding instituted by the federal government, to cover the cost of treatment of confirmed cases of Lassa fever patients.
“A process is ongoing on how to manage this and it is at the heart of discussion at all levels of government at the moment.
“The aim is to make sure that ability to pay is not a barrier to accessing the treatment for public health diseases such as Lassa fever,” Ihekweazu said.
According to him, efforts are being made by the government through the NCDC to reduce the burden of Lassa fever treatment on patients, pending commencement of the healthcare fund.