Exploring the response capacity and preparedness of healthcare facilities in Nigeria to Lassa fever outbreak

Abstract

Introduction Since the 2021 Lassa fever (LF) outbreak in Nigeria, the country has experienced a consecutive increase in the number of new cases, and despite interventions from non-governmental organisations, financial and logistical barriers persist. This study explored the response capacity and preparedness of the two major LF hotspot healthcare centres in Nigeria during LF outbreaks, Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital (ISTH) in Edo State and Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Owo in Ondo State. Methods A qualitative method was used. This involved the conduct of semi-structured interviews for 10 participants who are directly involved in the response to LF outbreak from FMC Owo and ISTH. The participants were four doctors, two medical lab scientists, two nurses, and two public health professionals. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the transcripts. Results Three major themes were identified; active systems, current interventions, and connectivity with the community. Healthcare facilities are provided with active systems for LF diagnosis and management, such as wards, medications, and molecular laboratories. They are strained during outbreaks due to large influx of infected patients, delays in supplies, and shortage of healthcare professionals. A prominent ongoing intervention is the provision of free healthcare, but it is limited to FMC Owo. Other healthcare facilities charge out of pocket, which is not affordable for community dwellers in the rural areas, invariably increasing the spread of LF. Also, free LF screening is conducted by healthcare facilities, but challenges persist in inefficient sample collection and prompt diagnosis due to the large volume of suspected cases during outbreaks. Conclusion Healthcare facilities connect with communities by organising town hall meetings to correct the perceptions about LF because it is viewed as “induced death sentence.” A wellness team was also created to curb practices that increase the spread of LF. Continuous capacity building and stronger partnerships are recommended.