As an effective way of protecting its citizens against the dreaded Lassa fever, the Lagos State Vector Control Programme is planning to recruit more graduates of the state’s College of Health Technology (LASCOHET), Yaba, to help eliminate the spread of the Lassa virus by killing rats from 465 markets in the state.
This was disclosed to newsmen by the programme coordinator, Oluwasegun Benson on Thursday.
The state government established the programme to eliminate Lassa Fever virus transmitted to humans by killing rats especially in markets and public places in what is called ‘deratting’.
The coordinator spoke shortly after inspecting markets in Ijeh Barracks and Obalande in Eti-Osa Local Government and seven others in Ijora, Apapa Local Government.
Benson said that Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State had given his approval for automatic employment of 233 graduates of the college from 2012/2013 academic session with effect from July 2, 2016.
He said the team’s planned employment of more graduates of LASCOHET would further enhance curbing the spread of Lassa fever in the state by ridding it of rats.
LASCOHET, formerly known as the School of Hygiene, was established by Dr Oladipo Oluwole, the first Nigerian Medical Officer of Health, in 1920.
Benson explained that under the programme, his members would cover over 465 markets, beginning from next month.
“The ‘deratisation’ of the markets will be done every month. We will visit all the markets in each local government in the state once a month.