Israel Oluyemi
Médecins Sans Frontières Emergency Coordinator Juniper Gordon has led the organisation’s intervention in Benue State following confirmed Lassa fever cases and rising fatalities.
Benue authorities recorded hundreds of suspected infections, with confirmed cases and deaths, including affected healthcare workers, increasing pressure on medical facilities.
Médecins Sans Frontières launched a three-month response in March to strengthen infection prevention, improve patient care, and support health services across the state.
“Healthcare workers and patients are at significant risk when infection prevention measures are not fully in place,” Gordon said, highlighting urgent safety concerns.
Health teams now train staff, reorganise triage systems, and establish risk zones to manage patient flow and reduce transmission.
The organisation also supplies protective equipment, hygiene materials, and supports waste management while installing handwashing points and boosting surveillance.
Patients in isolation centres receive food support as part of efforts to ensure safer treatment conditions.
Médecins Sans Frontières works with partners including the World Health Organization and UNICEF to contain the outbreak and strengthen response capacity in Benue State.