The Federal Ministry of Health has debunked media reports about outbreak of a new ‘deadly disease’ in Nigeria.
In a statement on Sunday, Mrs Boade Akinola, Director of Press and Public Relations in the Ministry, said Steven Johnson Syndrome is not a new disease as it was first discovered in 1922.
The statement reads in full: “On the 13th May 2016, the Federal Ministries of Health and Information and Culture in partnership with Mr Fadesola Adedayo, a marathon runner, organised a press conference at the Radio House Abuja to create awareness on a rare medical condition called Stephen Johnson Syndrome.
“In attendance at the occasion were the Honourable Minister of Health, Professor Isaac Adewole; the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Information and Culture, Mrs. Ayo Adesugba; Acting Director General of NAFDAC, Mrs Yetunde Oni; Chief Medical Director of National Hospita, Dr. JAF Momoh; Representative of the Federal Road Safety Corps; a consultant Dermatologist, Dr Lanre Falodun and the family of Adedayo.
“At the event, the Honourable Minister of Health alerted the public about adverse drug reactions which could occur following drugs that are prescribed by medical experts and warned member of the public against self-medication.
“He mentioned that the late brother of the marathon runner Dr Adeyosola Adedayo, died in 2012 due to an adverse drug reaction to medications he took after sustaining a needle stick injury while managing a patient that is living with HIV infections. He was managed for Stephen Johnson Syndrome at Lagos University Teaching Hospital Idi-Araba and died after few days due to severity of the disease.
“Professor Adewole praised Mr Fadesola Adedayo’s positive attitude of remembering the death of his brother by creating awareness through his 17-day marathon race from Abuja to Lagos.
“The minister encouraged Nigerians to always report every case of adverse drug reactions through the Pharmacovigilance unit of NAFDAC. He mentioned that Steven Johnson Syndrome is not a new disease, that it was first discovered in 1922. In support of Mr Adedayo’s marathon race, the honourable minister of health directed all Federal Health Institutions along the track of the marathon race to offer free ambulance and emergency services to the runner.
“Earlier, Dr Falodun delivered a lecture on Steven Johnson Syndrome and he emphasised that it is a rare disease that could occur following drug use. He listed some of the symptoms and described treatment options.
The marathon runner Fadesola, thanked the minister and other dignitaries for their support and advised all Nigerians that jogging or running as a form of exercise promotes health and prevent risk of deadly diseases.
“The Honourable Minister of Health declared open the marathon race with other dignitaries by jogging with Mr Fadesola Adedayo before bidding him farewell and wishing him a successful run to his final destination in Lagos.
“The Federal Ministry of Health will continue to partner and promote any culture that will promote healthy living among Nigerians.”
