Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), also known as Doctors Without Borders, has officially handed over its Lassa fever project to local health authorities in Ebonyi State.
In a statement sent to PREMIUM TIMES, the international medical humanitarian organisation confirmed that it concluded its intervention in December 2024, transferring full control of the programme to the Ebonyi State Ministry of Health and the Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital Abakaliki (AE-FUTHA).
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However, an observational team remained in place until March 2025.
MSF said it began its work in Ebonyi in June 2018 at the height of one of the region’s worst Lassa fever outbreaks.
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Health facilities, particularly AE-FUTHA—the state’s main referral centre, were overwhelmed, and 16 healthcare workers, including doctors, nurses, and cleaners, lost their lives to the disease.
While the federal and state governments had taken steps to contain the outbreak, such as building an isolation ward and setting up a virology lab, MSF said the hospital was still ill-equipped to handle the scale of the emergency.
“Personal protective equipment was limited, infection control procedures were unclear, and test samples had to be sent to distant labs,” the statement read.
The organisation added that, in some cases, suspected patients were kept in open spaces due to lack of capacity, which increased the risk of exposure for both staff and other patients.
Seven Years of Impact
Between 2018 and 2024, MSF said it supported the treatment of over 1,700 suspected and 427 confirmed Lassa fever patients.
The organisation also covered the full cost of care including; dialysis, drugs, and meals, which it said contributed to a significant reduction in deaths, particularly among hospital staff.
Nnennaya Ajayi, who served as Head of Clinical Services at AE-FUTHA’s virology unit during the 2018 outbreak, noted that the hospital was thrown into chaos when the virus struck.
Mr Ajayi recalled the fear and tragedy that marked the period, especially as health workers began to succumb to the illness.
“There was panic in the hospital. 16 healthcare workers passed away. People were afraid to go near the emergency room,” he said.
Mr Ajayi said MSF’s intervention brought not only equipment and training, but also restored morale within the hospital.
“They helped us structure patient flow, IPC (infection prevention and control), and biosafety measures. They brought structure, training, and most importantly, hope.”
As part of its support, MSF rebuilt AE-FUTHA’s triage and observation units, distributed personal protective equipment, and organised over 230 training sessions for healthcare workers.
It also upgraded the hospital’s laboratory systems to enable quicker diagnosis.
Alain-Godefroid Ndikundavyi, who served as MSF’s most recent project coordinator in Ebonyi, said the goal of the intervention was to end the cycle of preventable deaths.
Mr Ndikundavyi said it was also to ensure the hospital could function safely during outbreaks.
“Our main objective was to put an end to the series of avoidable deaths. We needed to reinforce the hospital’s capacity to treat and protect at the same time,” he said.
Beyond the hospital grounds, MSF said it reached nearly 1,300 communities across the state and conducted over 4,500 health education sessions to encourage early treatment-seeking.
It also supported two rural health centres; Izzi Unuhu and Onuebonyi with equipment, laboratory tools, training, and water towers to improve hygiene and disease surveillance.
In preparation for its exit in late 2024, MSF donated ambulances, medical supplies, and infection control materials.
It also collaborated with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) to support national epidemic response capacity.
Internal hospital committees were set up at AE-FUTHA to sustain infection prevention and clinical care standards after the group’s departure.
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Although Lassa fever remains a public health concern, 24 confirmed cases and one health worker death were recorded in AE-FUTHA in 2024. MSF said conditions have improved remarkedly compared to 2018.
MSF is a global humanitarian organisation that provides medical care in conflict zones and during disease outbreaks.
Founded in 1971 by French doctors and journalists, MSF operates in more than 70 countries and is largely funded by private donations.
Lassa Fever
Lassa fever is a viral haemorrhagic illness endemic to parts of West Africa.
It spreads through contact with food or household items contaminated by infected rodent urine or faeces and can also spread from person to person in healthcare settings.
The disease can cause fever, vomiting, and bleeding, and may be fatal without timely diagnosis and treatment.
