The role of partnership in Lassa fever prevention and control in a tertiary health facility in southeastern Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Lassa fever is one of the infectious diseases with rising incidence in West Africa, and Ebonyi is one of the high‑burden states with the disease in Nigeria and also had the highest number of nosocomial Lassa fever infection and mortality among health‑care workers. Aim: This study was conducted to identify the role of partnership in controlling the burden of Lassa fever in the study hospital. Materials and Methods: Data were collected through retrospective record reviews and confidential inquiries. Data from records were extracted using a checklist. The checklist included the number of hospital staff that had been diagnosed with Lassa fever, their cader, year of diagnosis, and outcome of illness. Data from inquiries were collected through oral interviews with an interview guide on funding, infrastructure, and training. There was an evaluation of the interventions and investments made by the Ebonyi State Government, Nigeria Center for Disease Control (NCDC), and Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) in specific areas of the hospital and Lassa fever patients’ care from 2016 to 2020. Results: Results showed that the Ebonyi State Government built and donated a diagnostic and treatment center to the hospital in 2016, NCDC provided a polymerase chain reaction machine, while MSF supported with infrastructural development, provision and training of staff, improved medical waste management, and regular supply of personal protective equipment, drugs, other medical supplies, and supportive services from 2018 till date. There has been no death of any hospital staff due to Lassa fever from March 2018 to May 2020, and nosocomial infection rarely occurred. Conclusion: The support of partners has contributed greatly to Lassa fever control in the study hospital. Therefore, a collaborative partnership is recommended for improvement in diagnostic and supportive laboratory capacities, infection prevention and control practices, case management, staff education and training, patient and community education and sensitization, and infrastructural development. Collaborative partnership is thus important in overall health‑care systems strengthening.