NPHCDA boss seeks mass vigilance against meningitis

The Executive Director, National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) Dr Muyi Aina, has urged Nigerians to be vigilant against meningitis through vaccination and early detection of  symptoms. Aina, who made the call in an interview with the Newsmen on Monday in Abuja, described meningitis as a life-threatening infection.

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The NPHCDA executive director said that Nigerians should be very vigilant to ensure early detection and treatment.

“It is a serious infection that can cause inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord. The most common symptoms are high fever, headache, stiff neck, nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to light, and confusion,” he said. It is also very important to get vaccinated against meningitis. It can be life-threatening. Vaccination is the most effective way to prevent meningitis, it can help to protect individuals from the disease,” he said.

He said that by getting vaccinated and ensuring early detection of the symptoms, Nigerians would be protected from the disease.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), skipping of vaccinations is one of the major risk factors of meningitis.

The WHO also says that most cases of viral meningitis occur in children under age five, while bacterial meningitis is common in individuals under age 20.

NAN/Wura