By Abuchi Ifesinachi, Awka
Anambra state government, through the State ministry of Health, has extended the sensitization workshop on Ebola virus disease (EVD) alert campaign to 302 artillery regiment, Onitsha military cantonment and Anambra State headquarters of Nigerian Immigration Service, Awka.
The ministry had earlier enlightened the faith based organizations, business men and women and traditional institutions in the state on the ebola virus and how to contain it in the state. It also used the opportunity to donate some infra red thermometer, hand sanitizers, flyers and posters to the officers.
The State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Joe Akabuike who was accompanied by the Director, Primary Health care and disease Control in the Ministry, Dr. Chukwudi Okoye, the Senior Special Assistant to Governor Obiano on General Hospitals, Dr Sunny Ekwunife, the SA on General Hospitals, Nwamaka Arinze (CMM) among other ministry staff and some students of Anambra State school of Nursing/midwifery, Nkpor said the campaign to the men and officers of Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) and Soldiers became necessary because they are high risk group in the society especially some of them that work in Anambra State who he said are very mobile people.
According to him, “Ebola virus disease is by contact and Anambrarians travel a lot. The immigration officers and officers of the Nigerian army receive foreigners and some of their members from other countries into Nigeria and that is why we see them as high risk group because they are at high risk of contacting the virus through primary contact. So the sensitisation is necessary as they will help us in the containment measures.
Dr. Akabuike enlisted the containment measures to include enlightenment of the people, personal hygiene such as proper hand washing on running water with soap and keeping the environment clean.
He enjoined the Immigration officers to always insist on finding out the origin of foreigners to know if they are from ebola prone countries like Liberia, Congo among others.
He maintained that “there is no transmission of EVD during the incubation period of between 2 to 21 days adding that Zmapp and Nano silver are still evidence trial drugs even as he submitted that ebola has no cure.
He also informed that the State Government has reactivated the epidemic preparedness response team domicile in the State ministry of health and had as well provided isolation centres and purchased Hilux vans and ambulances to combat Ebola in the state.
Responding, the State commander NIS, Mr. G.C Nweze and the Onitsha Cantonment Commandant, Nigerian army, Col. Auwan fagge in their separate speeches, thanked the State government for the sensitization campaign and pledged to maintain personal hygiene and assist in their little way to contain the spread of Ebola in the state.
Col Fagge said “it is very important we know the important of preventing the virus. The barrack is a very big community and we are prepared to contain it as several lectures had been held in this barrack, we are now ready to maintain a healthy environment”
