Ayomide Awe
The Federal Government has urged 15 states to urgently strengthen their preparedness against Ebola, warning that gaps in response planning could undermine Nigeria’s efforts to contain the country’s first confirmed imported case of the disease in Abuja.
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate, made the call on Thursday while briefing the National Economic Council (NEC) on measures being taken to prevent the spread of the virus.
Pate disclosed that 21 states had updated their Ebola response plans, while the remaining 15 were yet to complete the process of establishing appropriate preparedness and response mechanisms.
He said the Federal Government was working with state authorities to ensure that all parts of the country were adequately prepared to detect, contain and respond to any suspected case.
The minister identified effective coordination, surveillance at entry points, laboratory testing capacity, logistics for essential medical supplies, personal protective equipment and public communication as critical components of the national response.
According to him, the government has notified all state governments about the situation, while most states have developed response plans with guidance from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention.
He added that the government was collaborating with the World Health Organisation, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention and other technical partners to strengthen the country’s capacity to respond to the threat.
Pate also said surveillance at Nigeria’s points of entry was being reinforced, with authorities working to ensure that screening equipment, including thermal imaging devices, remained functional.
Providing an update on the confirmed case, the minister said the patient was responding to treatment, with laboratory results indicating significant improvement.
Pate said he had spoken with the clinicians attending to the patient and expressed optimism about the possibility of recovery.
“Thankfully, that individual is being taken care of and in fact is recovering. Today I spoke to the clinicians and I understand that lab results are showing great improvement and there is a possibility that she will recover from this,” he said.
The update comes as health authorities continue to strengthen surveillance and preparedness measures following confirmation of the imported case in the Federal Capital Territory.
Despite the heightened alert, Pate said the government had not imposed restrictions on large gatherings, adding that there was currently no scientific or public health justification for cancelling planned events.
“At this moment there is no indication that requires us to alter the course of large gatherings that have been planned,” he said.
He, however, noted that the government could reconsider its position if the epidemiological situation changed.
According to the minister, any decision on public gatherings would be guided by scientific evidence, public health considerations and consultations with relevant experts.
Pate urged Nigerians to remain vigilant without resorting to panic, stressing the importance of observing basic hygiene and public health precautions.
He advised citizens to wash their hands regularly and avoid unnecessary contact with bodily fluids, while urging anyone experiencing symptoms such as fever, headache and muscle aches, particularly those with a relevant travel history, to isolate themselves and promptly notify public health authorities.
The minister also said hospitals had been directed to prepare isolation beds and strengthen infection prevention and control measures.
Private health facilities were equally urged to promptly report suspected cases to the relevant public health authorities to ensure timely investigation and response.
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