The Plateau Government says it has trained 66 laboratory scientists and technicians on effective ways of diagnosing and handling Lassa fever. The State Commissioner for Health, Dr Kunden Deyin, disclosed this on Saturday in Jos at the opening of a workshop on the viral disease. He said that the objective of the training was to help bring succour to the public and avert further mortality arising from Lassa fever in the state. ``The workshop is to broaden the knowledge of participants about the disease and ensure containment as well as promote standard precautions.’’ According to Deyin, there is need to safeguard the lives of the health workers through the use of personal protective equipment while carrying out diagnoses.

``This workshop is also to re-orientate you on the need for implementing standard precautions in the handling and taking of samples.” Mr Agwo Martin, a participant, who described the training as timely, said it would create awareness on the various ways of handling the disease. Similarly, Dr James Damen, the Chairman, Association of Medical Laboratory Scientist of Nigeria, commended the ministry for the training, noting that laboratory scientists play a vital role in the diagnosis of the disease.