Ebola: Jonathan declares National Emergency

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 were 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.
A statement signed by his Special Adviser on
Media and Publicity, Reuben Abati said, “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
travelers 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”.
(Media and Publicity)
August 8, 2014
http://dailypost.ng/2014/08/08/breaking-ebola-jonathan-declares-national-emergency-approves-n2bn-special-intervention-fund/