ENUGU ANTHRAX: IMMEDIATE CALL FOR THE RE-CONSTITUTION OF COMMITTEE — Prince Godspower Chimereze

Following the confirmation of the outbreak of Anthrax disease in Niger State by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Enugu State Government has pro-actively proceeded to form a multi-sectoral committee to combat the disease and where possible, prevent it’s entrance into the state.

However, the Technical Assistant on Agriculture to the Former Governor of Enugu State, Prince Godspower Chimereze has called for the immediate re-constitution of the well-aimed multi-sectoral health committee. He said the 12-man committee headed by the Permanent Secretary and Director, Public Health Services of the Ministry of Health is a wrong swap of critical roles of the Departments of Veterinary Services and Animal Husbandry Services of the State’s Ministry of Agriculture.

Anthrax, though zoonotic, is first and primarily hosted by animals, thus, should be given the collaborative effort of both Veterinary and Human Doctors.

The State Ministry of Agriculture with staff across all animal market as well as inter-state boundaries, have a the structure, personnel and professional training needed to achieve the Gov. Peter Mbah’s pro-active approach in this regard.

Prince Godspower Chimereze thus advised the State Government to swiftly re-constitute the said multi-sectoral health committee on Anthrax and give leadership to the State Ministry of Agriculture, particularly the Departments of Veterinary Services and Animal Husbandry Services just as it is at the Federal level, for optimum result.

Other suggested members of the committee may include the State Chapters of Nigerian Veterinary Council, Nigeria Institute for Animal Science, Coordinator of Efi-Igbo Center Nsukka, Young Professionals for Agricultural Research and Development (YPARD), Ruminant Animal Farmer’s Association etc.

Let us all fight Anthrax.