Following its 42-day observation, the World Health Organisation,
(WHO), yesterday certified Nigeria free of the Ebola Virus
Disease(EBD).Announcing that the country no longer harbors the Ebola
virus, Country Representative of WHO , Dr. Rui Gama Vaz, however,
warned that Nigeria must remain at alert as the dreaded disease was
still ravaging countries within the West African region.
President Goodluck Jonathan also said despite the declaration by WHO, the vigilance at the nation’s border would continue.
He dedicated the certification to the patriotic health workers, volunteers and ordinary Nigerians who worked tirelessly, some of them (including Dr. Stella Adadevoh) paying the ultimate price, to stop the deadly virus in its track
Vaz disclosed that the WHO hierarchy was full of commendation for the Nigerian government and its partners for containing the disease outbreak in a creditable manner, adding that beyond Ebola, Nigeria’s feats in disease control was worthy of emulation:
“I am quoting the Director-General of the WHO, Dr. Margaret Chang, who said, ‘if Nigeria can eradicate Guinea worm disease, contain Ebola and make significant progress at interrupting polio transmission all at the same time, then, any country experiencing an imported case (of Ebola), is just a hand full of cases.
“While the Ebola Virus Disease outbreak is over in Nigeria due to Nigeria’s geographic position and the proximity of its borders to countries with cases of the disease, it is important to continue to be vigilant for any suspected case and to observe a strict compliance with the WHO Ebola disease guidelines . There is need for the Federal Government to continue to work with states to ensure adequate preparedness to rapidly respond to any suspected case”.
Receiving the Ebola-Free certification hours before he officially resigned as Minister of Health, Professor Onyebuchi Chukwu, expressed appreciation to President Jonathan, Lagos and Rivers state governors, Minister of State for Health, WHO, the press, the US Center for Disease Control and other development partners for playing integral roles in Nigeria successfully containing Ebola disease:
“Several people have asked me what I thought was the most critical success factor in the Nigeria’s containment effort against the Ebola Virus Disease outbreak. Undoubtedly, the most critical success factor was leadership- strong, effective, focused and committed leadership provided by President Jonathan himself and replicated at various levels down the ladder. I am convinced that without this quality of leadership, it would have been extremely difficult for the EVD outbreak not only to be tamed but to be driven out of Nigeria.”
Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, said the President seized this opportunity to also reiterate his appreciation of the contributions of state governments, WHO and other international health organisations, relatives and infected persons and other Nigerians who either courageously underwent the rigours of being quarantined or complied with all directives issued by health authorities to defeat the virus.
He said Jonathan “believes that Nigeria’s globally-acclaimed success against Ebola is a testimony to what Nigerians can achieve if they set aside their differences and work together, and calls on Nigerians to strive to replicate the unity of purpose and all-hands-on-deck approach adopted against Ebola in other areas of national life.
“As the nation applauds the success of its collective efforts to stop the transmission of the Ebola Virus within Nigeria, however, the President warns that the entire country must remain fully alert and vigilant against the re-entry of the virus.”
Meanwhile, members of the Aka Ikenga, an Igbo Think-Tank expressed gratitude to the President, governors, Federal Ministry of Health and the good people of Nigeria on the containment of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) as confirmed by WHO.
A statement by its president, Chief Goddy Uwazuriki said “We also pray that the same united spirit be used in fighting Boko Haram insurgence in our beloved country, Nigeria.”
He dedicated the certification to the patriotic health workers, volunteers and ordinary Nigerians who worked tirelessly, some of them (including Dr. Stella Adadevoh) paying the ultimate price, to stop the deadly virus in its track
Vaz disclosed that the WHO hierarchy was full of commendation for the Nigerian government and its partners for containing the disease outbreak in a creditable manner, adding that beyond Ebola, Nigeria’s feats in disease control was worthy of emulation:
“I am quoting the Director-General of the WHO, Dr. Margaret Chang, who said, ‘if Nigeria can eradicate Guinea worm disease, contain Ebola and make significant progress at interrupting polio transmission all at the same time, then, any country experiencing an imported case (of Ebola), is just a hand full of cases.
“While the Ebola Virus Disease outbreak is over in Nigeria due to Nigeria’s geographic position and the proximity of its borders to countries with cases of the disease, it is important to continue to be vigilant for any suspected case and to observe a strict compliance with the WHO Ebola disease guidelines . There is need for the Federal Government to continue to work with states to ensure adequate preparedness to rapidly respond to any suspected case”.
Receiving the Ebola-Free certification hours before he officially resigned as Minister of Health, Professor Onyebuchi Chukwu, expressed appreciation to President Jonathan, Lagos and Rivers state governors, Minister of State for Health, WHO, the press, the US Center for Disease Control and other development partners for playing integral roles in Nigeria successfully containing Ebola disease:
“Several people have asked me what I thought was the most critical success factor in the Nigeria’s containment effort against the Ebola Virus Disease outbreak. Undoubtedly, the most critical success factor was leadership- strong, effective, focused and committed leadership provided by President Jonathan himself and replicated at various levels down the ladder. I am convinced that without this quality of leadership, it would have been extremely difficult for the EVD outbreak not only to be tamed but to be driven out of Nigeria.”
Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, said the President seized this opportunity to also reiterate his appreciation of the contributions of state governments, WHO and other international health organisations, relatives and infected persons and other Nigerians who either courageously underwent the rigours of being quarantined or complied with all directives issued by health authorities to defeat the virus.
He said Jonathan “believes that Nigeria’s globally-acclaimed success against Ebola is a testimony to what Nigerians can achieve if they set aside their differences and work together, and calls on Nigerians to strive to replicate the unity of purpose and all-hands-on-deck approach adopted against Ebola in other areas of national life.
“As the nation applauds the success of its collective efforts to stop the transmission of the Ebola Virus within Nigeria, however, the President warns that the entire country must remain fully alert and vigilant against the re-entry of the virus.”
Meanwhile, members of the Aka Ikenga, an Igbo Think-Tank expressed gratitude to the President, governors, Federal Ministry of Health and the good people of Nigeria on the containment of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) as confirmed by WHO.
A statement by its president, Chief Goddy Uwazuriki said “We also pray that the same united spirit be used in fighting Boko Haram insurgence in our beloved country, Nigeria.”
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Ebola: WHO gives Nigeria clean health certificate |
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