Minister of State for Health, Dr. Khaliru Alhassan By Okon Bassey in Uyo Despite the clean bill of health or certification of Nigeria as an Ebola-free nation, the Minister of State for Health, Dr. Khaliru Alhassan, has warned that the federal government should not relax in checking re-importation of the virus into the country. The Minister said those who contributed directly or remotely towards the successful control of the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) outbreak in the Nigeria should be praised for the giant feat and unprecedented achievement recorded. “However, this achievement recorded by 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 Ebola Virus Disease 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,” he said. Alhassan, who spoke in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State capital during the meeting of the National Council on Health, maintained that “without this, the possibility of a re-importation of EVD into Nigeria remains high; thus it is not quite over yet”. “I want to remind all Nigerians that WHO’s declaration of Nigeria as “Ebola-free” on the 20th of October 2014 was “hard-earned” and at a great human and material cost. We must do all we can to keep Nigeria Healthy and Safe and to sustain our Ebola-free status,” he stressed. He disclosed that two Nigerians, a 27-year old indigene of Abia state and a 22-year old indigene of Edo State both residing in Freetown, Sierra Leone had recently been diagnosed with EVD. According to the Sierra Leonean health officials, the two Nigerians received treatment in isolation centres in Freetown, Sierra Leone with one who has been successfully treated and technically cured had since returned to Nigeria. “He was met and evacuated into quarantine by our Port Health Services on his arrival in Lagos. The National EOC based in Lagos is currently screening him before he will be finally released from quarantine. “We are currently monitoring the second patient who is still in Sierra Leone, and who we also confirmed to be making progress in the isolation hospital where he is currently receiving treatment. “Because of their illness, a 3rd Nigerian was placed under surveillance, and has completed his mandatory 21 days. We have equally established contacts with their relations here in Nigeria and to ensure that they are not stigmatised,” Alhassan said. The Minister made known that 506 identified health volunteers were ready for deployment to Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone stressing that the first contingent of 250 Nigeria experts would be deployed soon. Alhassan tasked the countries already infected with the disease to strengthen their surveillance and quarantine network to minimise the escape from such networks people already put under-surveillance to other non-infected countries. Also, he added that President Goodluck Jonathan has approved that our NCDC supports those affected countries to build local capacity of Health Workers to enhance their response. The Minister equally called on all states of the federation to enhance their surveillance system, while members of the public should remain vigilant and seek immediate medical attention in the event of suspected cases.
Posted on: Sun, 02 Nov 2014 06:06:59 +0000
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