Taraba records 42 mortality cases of Lassa fever as FMC battles shortage of doctors
No fewer than 42 mortality cases of Lassa fever have been reported at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Jalingo, Taraba State. The mortalities occurred between November last year and March
- From John Mkom, Jalingo
No fewer than 42 mortality cases of Lassa fever have been reported at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Jalingo, Taraba State.
The mortalities occurred between November last year and March 2026, the authorities said.
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The tertiary health facility, the biggest hospital in Taraba State, is also battling an acute shortage of medical doctors to cope with the epidemic, The Nation learnt.
The Head of Clinical Service of the FMC Jalingo, Dr. Abubakar Kirim, who spoke in an exclusive interview with The Nation, stated that Lassa fever is becoming a surge that, if not handled well, will consume lives daily.
“Lassa fever is an epidemic,” he said.
He said, “Between November 2025 and March 2026, the facility has recorded 230 cases of Lassa Fever.
“102 confirmed cases of the disease were recorded. 95 of the confirmed cases were admitted to the FMC treatment centre. 30 patients were successfully treated and discharged.
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"We have recorded 42 mortalities. A few of the affected persons absconded from the treatment centre and left.
“The reason for absconding is that we have a shortage of agents for the test we confirm here, while waiting for samples to be taken to either Bauchi or Edo. With the waiting window, they get agitated and abscond,” Kirim said.
Kirim further disclosed that three health workers of the FMC who were battling to save lives were among those affected by the Lassa fever.
He said, "This season, health workers here in the FMC are among those affected. Three health workers were affected, and we lost one of them.
“A doctor and a nurse survived. We discharged them about three days ago; unfortunately, one of the drivers who was affected could not make it.”
He added that the hospital is lacking medical doctors to handle the epidemic, calling on quality medical doctors interested in working with FMC Jalingo to come forward for identification and proper recruitment.
Kirim urged all stakeholders in the health sector, from the wards to local government areas and the state level in Taraba State, to come together for massive awareness campaigns to tackle the epidemic, which is rising daily.
