The president of Nigeria has approved N1.9b special
intervention fund to help fight the spread of Ebola virus in Nigeria. Good move
Mr President! I hope that this money is put into the right use and not misappropriated.
Corrupt people in charge should also have a conscience and know
that Ebola affects both the rich and the poor.
They also have to realise that this is not an opportunity to loot
funds. This virus would have been prevented from entering the country if only
they channeled their energy towards taking preventive measures when they heard
about the outbreak in other parts of West Africa. But they seemed to be more
concerned with campaigning for election. That is all I have to say.
Remain happy and spread happiness around. Xoxo.
Read the state house's press release after the cut if you are interested.
President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan
Friday in Abuja declared the control and containment of the Ebola virus in
Nigeria, a National Emergency.
Accordingly, the President has
directed the Federal Ministry of Health to work in collaboration with the State
Ministries of Health, the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), the
National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and other relevant agencies to
ensure that all possible steps are taken to effectively contain the threat of
the Ebola virus in line with international protocols and best practices.
President Jonathan also approved a
Special Intervention Plan and the immediate release of N1. 9 billion for its
implementation, to further strengthen on-going steps to contain the virus such
as the establishment of additional isolation centres, case management, contact
tracing, deployment of additional personnel, screening at borders, and the
procurement of required items and facilities.
The President commends the vigilance
of aviation and health authorities in Lagos who identified and isolated the
index case in Nigeria, the late Patrick Sawyer, an American-Liberian who flew
into the country.
He also applauds the good work of
health authorities at both State and Federal levels who have traced persons who
had contact with him, isolated other identified cases and embarked on massive
public enlightenment.
President Jonathan calls for even
greater vigilance and co-operation at all levels to stop the Ebola virus from
spreading further.
As the effective implementation of
the Federal Government's Special Intervention Plan will require other
stakeholders to take certain precautionary steps that are supportive of the
government’s initiative, the President calls on members of the public to follow
all directives by health authorities and report any suspected Ebola case to the
nearest health facility for immediate medical attention.
He also enjoins the public to desist
from spreading false information about Ebola
which can lead to mass hysteria, panic and misdirection, including
unverified suggestions about the prevention, treatment, cure and spread of the
virus.
President Jonathan urges that the
movement of corpses from one community to the other, and from overseas into the
country should be stopped forthwith. Every death should be reported to the
relevant authorities, and special precautions should be taken in handling
corpses.
Religious and political groups,
spiritual healing centres, families, associations and other bodies should, in
the meantime, discourage gatherings and activities that may unwittingly promote
close contact with infected persons or place others at risk.
Public enlightenment agencies,
including privately-owned media organs should support government’s efforts and
disseminate correct information in all Nigerian languages, about preventive
personal hygiene measures, the nature of the Ebola virus, modes of transmission
and consequential steps to be taken in the event of infection.
President Jonathan appeals to State
governments and private day care, nursery, primary and secondary schools owners
to consider the option of extending the current school holiday until such a
time when a national reassessment of the level of the Ebola threat is
conducted.
The President further directs the
National Emergency Management Agency and similar agencies at the state level to
strengthen their public enlightenment campaigns and to use their networks to
distribute hand sanitisers and other
protective items nationwide. He has
also directed the aviation and health authorities to embark on immediate
intensification of the screening of travellers at all the nation’s borders.
President Jonathan reassures everyone
that the Government of Nigeria will continue to take every step, deploy all
resources, and mobilize every support and assistance to check the spread of
Ebola in the country.
Medical workers and other health
professionals are expected to regard this declaration of a National Emergency
as a patriotic call to duty and service.
Reuben Abati
Special Adviser to the President
(Media and Publicity)
August 8, 2014
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