…Affirms Increased Surveillance in Abuja
By Joyce Remi-Babayeju
Contrary to recent scare of a reported case of Ebola in the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, the Mandate Secretary of the FCT Health Secretariat, Dr. Dolapo Fasawe, has announced that there is no case of Ebola or Marburg disease outbreak in the territory.
Dr. Fasawe dispelled the Ebola fears on Friday in Abuja at a press briefing, saying, “The FCT is free of Ebola disease.”
According to her, a suspected case of Ebola virus disease in the Federal Capital Territory tested negative for both Ebola and Marburg diseases.
The Health Secretary clarified that the suspected case involved an individual, identified as “Patient X” in the FCT, for reasons of confidentiality, who had a travel history from Rwanda, which borders the Democratic Republic of Congo where Ebola has been confirmed.
She commended the health-seeking behaviour of the patient, who had promptly gone directly to a hospital upon feeling ill, and also praised the hospital for following infectious disease protocols by immediately isolating the patient and contacting the health authorities.
“This is not the first suspected case we have had this year, but due to an effective and efficient surveillance system put in place by this administration, we have been able to follow protocols better than other states,” she emphasized.
Dr. Fasawe commended the robust health infrastructure and proactive measures put in place by the FCT Minister, Barr. Nyesom Wike, which enabled the rapid detection and containment of the potential threat.
Meanwhile, she highlighted the recent commissioning of an Emergency Operations Centre and the active surveillance team as key to the swift response.
Dr. Fasawe reiterated that the FCT remains Ebola-free, adding that the FCT Health Secretariat is working closely with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) to secure all borders, particularly the air border, to ensure more vigilance for individuals arriving from countries with confirmed epidemics.
The Secretary appealed to members of the press to verify information before publishing to prevent unnecessary panic and stigmatization.
She urged residents to stay healthy by improving their health-seeking habits.
“Every fever is not malaria,” she said. “If you have any sign of illness, especially with a fever or any abnormal bleeding from the nose, ears, eyes, or any other orifice, it is a big emergency. You must report to the nearest health center immediately,” she warned .
Furthermore, the Health Secretary disclosed that the FCT Minister has recently approved payment of health workers’ allowances and the employment of new doctors.
She confirmed that 37 doctors have already been employed, with plans to hire an additional 300 more healthcare professionals in the shortest possible time.
However, she noted that the necessary bureaucratic procedures would be followed in implementing the minister’s approval to ensure a lasting solution and mitigate future agitation by FCT health workers.
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