Lagos State Governor, Mr. Baba­tunde Fashola, has said that the state government never rejected Ebola treatment drugs or failed to take care of those infected with the disease.
In a broadcast yesterday, Fashola stated that the state government was doing everything possible to tackle the Ebola problem and would continue to do its best to ensure that the disease does not spread.
The governor said: “This address has become necessary to respond to a series of text messages, e-mails and telephone calls that I have received in order to reiterate some of what you may already know, to share information about what you may not know, and to keep every­body safe. This has become the moreso in the light of allegations that are making the rounds, either that victims are being neglected, or that a useful drug or vac­cine is being rejected or that there is a shortage of funds. I wish to state very categorically that none of these is true.”
Saying that Nigeria should never have had the current health challenge, he stat­ed: “What is true is that the Ebola virus did not break out from within Nigeria; it was imported into Nigeria. What is true is that we have followed all the contacts that we know who have had primary and secondary contacts with the patient who imported the virus into our state, or with people who had contact with him.”
The governor stated that the state’s response to Ebola “is a lot better than when the news first broke,” adding: “Our capacity is increasing daily.”
He stated that Lagos is under experi­ence an Ebola epidemic, promising: “We are determined to do everything not to get to that stage; because of the grave consequences to the safety of human lives. We have provided information to the public on all state-owned media, while the private media have commend­ably joined in this effort. There is also information available on the social media platform.”
Fashola promised residents of the state of government’s resolve to contain and defeat Ebola, insisting: “That resolve is demonstrated by the courage shown by the first set of health workers at state and federal levels who stood up to be counted, and the leadership of the state and federal Ministries of Health with the support of our international partners. In spite of fear, they stood up to be counted at a time of grave danger. We should salute their courage, professionalism, patriotism and humanitarian disposition. They are the heroes and heroines that we have looked for a long time. I cannot thank them enough.
“While we are doing everything to assure their safety and to give them con­fidence to proceed, I want to passionately appeal that we must not do anything to distract them or demotivate them. What they need now is our encouragement and support to gain even stronger control of the situation. What they do not need are rumours and the distractions that they can bring with them.”
He assured family of Ebola patients that government would do it best, while stating: “I understand that you expect special care for your loved ones, and this is to be expected. I assure you that they are receiving the best care that the experts have recommended to us, given the circumstances; because they say that this is the best way to proceed especially because experienced personnel in Ebola containment and management have al­ways been a challenge.”
The state governor advised those seeking to raise funds to hold on, say­ing: “I must also say to those who are seeking to raise funds that we appreci­ate your concerns but we are not yet at a fund raising stage and I cannot foresee that eventuality. For now, the state has enough resources to fund everything that is needed. This is what your taxes can do in emergencies. Our House of Assembly has thankfully approved a request for any needed expenditure.
“The President, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan and the Honourable Minister for Health have shown the appropriate level of concern about the national and global risks that this poses and I am sure they will provide funds should we be unable to do so, if we ask for it.”
He advised Lagos residents to ensure personal hygiene, saying: “What all of us must do is to follow all their advice, especially about reporting any suspected cases and about increasing our personal hygiene by constant washing of our hands with soap and water. We should stop un­hygienic practices of urinating in public and defaecating in public because those are body fluids and waste through which the virus is known to thrive.”
 

Ebola: We didn’t reject drugs, neglect patients –Fashola