The Federal Government, on Tuesday, informed the state governments that it could not continue to buy drugs for them in the on-going battle to curtail the outbreak and spread of Lassa fever and other diseases.

Besides, the Minister of Health, Professor Isaac Adewole, accused the state governments of conspiracy on the outbreak and spread of the disease, saying that “there is a conspiracy of silence in many states.”

Adewole spoke at an emergency National Council on Health meeting on “Institutionalising, sustainable mechanism for Control of Lassa fever and other related diseases,” held in Abuja.

The minister reminded the states commissioners of health that issue of health was supposed to be a joint one, and therefore, they should not be waiting for the Federal Government to buy all the drugs needed for them.

He, however, pointed out that in case of a major outbreak, if there is a shortfall of drugs, the Federal Ministry of Health will assist the state government, adding that the Federal Government cannot shoulder all the responsibilities alone.

Professor Adewole pleaded with the commissioners to work with the local governments in the efforts to curtail the outbreak, because “it has to be a collective effort, we will only drive it, you will make it work.”

He said: “The Federal Government cannot do everything. If there is a shortfall, the ministry will assist and we must have an integrated system. You don’t treat people from the federal level, but people in your states and local governments. You will be at the driver seat, and we will sit by you.