The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has urged the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) to increase efforts in educating and protecting Nigerians from Monkeypox.
NMA stressed that the agency, saddled with the responsibility of disease prevention and control, must not lose sight of Monkeypox as it focuses on COVID-19.
It also urged Nigerians to adhere to the preventive measures of personal hygiene, especially hand cleanliness, because like Monkeypox, COVID-19 is still very much in the country.
The association said the situation can become worse if not handled properly and implored religious institutions – churches and mosques – to sensitize their followers about the disease.
Recall that the NCDC had announced that the country has recorded 21 confirmed cases of Monkeypox disease in the last five months, with one death.
Speaking with reporters, the new President of NMA Dr. Uche Ojinmah said: “NCDC needs to start giving us data on Monkeypox as it happens across the country.
“The NCDC needs to understand that it is not only COVID-19; it is important. It is, however, necessary to be combined in the sensitization of the people.
“The media also has a role to play in sensitization. The government needs to bring the will, but we all in our little ways can contribute.”
