…Seeks stronger collaboration with LASG
The Federal Government Friday called for increased surveillance
at all entry points into Nigeria following the lingering Ebola
outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Government directed all Port Health Service officials and other
relevant agencies at such points of entry to heighten surveillance
and ensure that all passengers coming into the country are
screened.
The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Health, Mr.
Abdulaziz Abdullahi Mashi, on an inspection visit to Port Health
facilities at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja,
said that any suspected case must be presented for relevant test in
line with the global practice on disease emergency control and
prevention.
Mashi who was accompanied by other top officials of the ministry
and those of the Nigeria Center for Disease Control (NCDC) said he
wanted to ascertain the level of preparedness of Nigeria for the
worst.
He said: “More doctors, nurses and other health officials would
be deployed to the port health services at the International
Airport. Consumables required for day to day activities at the
airport would also be adequately provided.”
Mashi also met with the Permanent Secretary in the Lagos State
Ministry of Health, Dr. Titilayo Goncalves and hailed the state for
its preparedness and surveillance system against Ebola.
He said the Federal Ministry of Health and Lagos State Ministry
of Health had been working together to forestall importation of any
disease into the country and called for continuous
collaboration.
He said Lagos State is the entry point of most of the visitors
to Nigeria hence there is need to heighten the surveillance
system.
Responding, Dr. Goncalves dismissed social media reports about
an Ebola virus carrier in Nigeria.
She said the person in question was tested and the result was
negative.
“I want to authoritatively tell you that the patient was tested
and the result was negative, she is well and has been discharged,
everybody should put his mind to rest; there is no Ebola in Lagos,”
she said.
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