Statistics revealed that over 558 cases of Monkeypox have so far been reported with eight deaths in 32 states since 2017. With the National Centre for Disease Control placing new suspected cases in 2022 at fifteen and still counting.
In order to join force to check the spread of this disease and other infectious diseases in the country, a group of Nigerian scientists came together to form a platform known as Society of Scientists and Infectious Diseases.
Speaking at the Inauguration ceremony of the National, Zonal Executives and Members of the Society, in Abuja, the body’s President, Toyosi Raheem said one of their aims is to check emerging new infectious agents that are posing significant risk and threats to humans, animals and the environments.
He noted that as part of critical stakeholders towards the achievement of Maputo declaration 2008 on laboratory strengthening in Africa and globally to check infectious diseases, members of the society in Nigeria and in diaspora cannot appear unconcerned about the call.
He also noted that the outbreak of Corona Virus Diseases, COVID-19 pandemic prepared the society to be extraordinarily determined to tackle medical challenges that may pose risk and hazard to Nigerians especially in the area of diagnoses and treatment.
Also speaking, Chairman of the occasion, Godwin Ehimekpen noted that the group of scientists are ready to share knowledge that will help in fighting diseases in Nigeria. The theme of the inauguration is “Infectious Diseases, Hazards and Threats; Local and Global Priorty”.
