Ebola: FG dispatches 250 experts to infested countries
President
Goodluck Jonathan has given approval for the Nigerian Centre for
Disease Control to support Ebola-infested countries including Liberia,
Guinea and Sierra Leone to build local capacity of health workers to
enhance their response in the fight against Ebola Virus Disease.
Already, about 250 Nigerian experts are ready to be deployed to these countries in the next few days, in the first phase of the 506 Nigerian volunteers that have been identified and ready for deployment in these countries.
The Supervising Minister of Health, Dr. Khaliru Alhassan, who stated these during a press briefing on Thursday in Abuja, also warned that the transportation of corpses is still banned until proper clearance is obtained from the Ministry of Health.
According to him, in order to remain alert and well prepared in case of another EVD outbreak and ensure proper coordination of EVD activities in the country, the Federal Government has set up the National Emergency Operations Centre in Abuja.
Alhassan however stressed that, despite the declaration of Nigeria as an Ebola-free country, the public must not be taken for granted.
He said, “It is important that I inform you all that we have identified 506 volunteers ready for deployment in Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone. The first contingent of 250 Nigeria experts will be deployed as soon as possible after having concluded all necessary logistics under the watch of World Health Organisation. In addition to this, I am happy to announce that Mr. President has approved that our NCDC supports these countries to build local capacity of health workers to enhance their response.
“Nigeria’s public health must not be taken for granted and we must not go to sleep and start resting on our oars. It should serve as a warning that this current outbreak of EVD still presents a measured threat to Nigeria and the rest of the world until it is contained and eliminated from all countries, particularly from the West African sub-region.
“Without this, the possibility of a re-importation of EVD into Nigeria remains high; thus it is not quite over yet. It is with this regard that we have developed a Nigerian Ebola Preparedness Plan with all elements to work with the states to activate their incident management systems, to strengthen our national preparedness and be ready to respond to a potential outbreak, should it occur again.”
Alhassan therefore appealed to all states to enhance their surveillance system while the public should remain vigilant and immediately call the Ebola Helpline (0800-Ebola-Help) or seek immediate medical attention in the event of suspected cases of sudden onset of fever, intense weakness, muscle pains, headache and sore throat especially that may be followed by vomiting, diarrhea, internal and external bleeding (especially for persons travelling into Nigeria from affected areas).
“To our health workers who are the guard of this country, it is no more business as usual in our outpatient departments, clinics and operation theaters; we must raise our level of index of suspicion because we are the first contact. It is no more business as usual in handling routine cases. Transportation of copses is still banned until duly cleared by the Ministry of health after receiving the required documents. Therefore, we still appeal to Nigerians to be patient.”
THE PUNCH
Already, about 250 Nigerian experts are ready to be deployed to these countries in the next few days, in the first phase of the 506 Nigerian volunteers that have been identified and ready for deployment in these countries.
The Supervising Minister of Health, Dr. Khaliru Alhassan, who stated these during a press briefing on Thursday in Abuja, also warned that the transportation of corpses is still banned until proper clearance is obtained from the Ministry of Health.
According to him, in order to remain alert and well prepared in case of another EVD outbreak and ensure proper coordination of EVD activities in the country, the Federal Government has set up the National Emergency Operations Centre in Abuja.
Alhassan however stressed that, despite the declaration of Nigeria as an Ebola-free country, the public must not be taken for granted.
He said, “It is important that I inform you all that we have identified 506 volunteers ready for deployment in Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone. The first contingent of 250 Nigeria experts will be deployed as soon as possible after having concluded all necessary logistics under the watch of World Health Organisation. In addition to this, I am happy to announce that Mr. President has approved that our NCDC supports these countries to build local capacity of health workers to enhance their response.
“Nigeria’s public health must not be taken for granted and we must not go to sleep and start resting on our oars. It should serve as a warning that this current outbreak of EVD still presents a measured threat to Nigeria and the rest of the world until it is contained and eliminated from all countries, particularly from the West African sub-region.
“Without this, the possibility of a re-importation of EVD into Nigeria remains high; thus it is not quite over yet. It is with this regard that we have developed a Nigerian Ebola Preparedness Plan with all elements to work with the states to activate their incident management systems, to strengthen our national preparedness and be ready to respond to a potential outbreak, should it occur again.”
Alhassan therefore appealed to all states to enhance their surveillance system while the public should remain vigilant and immediately call the Ebola Helpline (0800-Ebola-Help) or seek immediate medical attention in the event of suspected cases of sudden onset of fever, intense weakness, muscle pains, headache and sore throat especially that may be followed by vomiting, diarrhea, internal and external bleeding (especially for persons travelling into Nigeria from affected areas).
“To our health workers who are the guard of this country, it is no more business as usual in our outpatient departments, clinics and operation theaters; we must raise our level of index of suspicion because we are the first contact. It is no more business as usual in handling routine cases. Transportation of copses is still banned until duly cleared by the Ministry of health after receiving the required documents. Therefore, we still appeal to Nigerians to be patient.”
THE PUNCH
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