The National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) will, on Monday, Oct. 23, commence a nationwide awareness campaign against Monkey pox disease, its National President, Malam Murtala Garba has said.
Garba spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Abuja.
Garba said that the campaign which was tagged: ‘‘Kick Monkey pox out of Nigeria,’’ would focus on enlightening Nigerians about risk factors associated with the disease.
He said the sensitisation would also focus on preventive measures and other ways of eradicating all forms of fear among people about the epidemic.
The NYCN boss explained that the awareness was aimed at sensitising all Nigerians, especially the youth, on the need for vaccination against the disease, handling victims of Monkey pox and life after the disease.
According to him, the programme which will start in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) will be subsequently extended across the 36 states of the federation.
He said that the council took the decision following reported increase in the spread of monkey pox disease in over eight states and a total of 43 new suspected cases across the country.
‘‘In view of this, the National Youth Council of Nigeria is commencing a nationwide sensitisation and awareness campaign tagged ‘Kick Monkey pox out of Nigeria’ with a view to educating Nigerians about preventive measures and management of the disease.’’
“NYCN has mandated its Directorate of Health to explore more radical and aggressive approach in the fight against the Monkey pox, aside other measures put in place by the directorate.
“I enjoin all Nigerian youths to support the fight against Monkey pox to ensure continuous well-being of the populace.
‘‘We call on all the Nigerian youth to rise and support the efforts of the Federal Government for the time has come to kick monkey pox out of our homes, families, schools, villages, towns, state 0and nation at large,’’ he said.
On his own, the Director, Health Directorate, NYCN, Dr Ezekoye Pascal, commended the Federal Government for taking proactive measures through the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) and the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) to contain the disease.
‘‘We also applaud the Chief Executive Officer of NCDC, Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu, for his doggedness and untiring efforts at handling the disease.’’
Posted by Juliet Ekwebelam (NAN)
