…….Urged residents to practice good hygiene and report suspected Ebola symptoms promptly to health facilities.
FIC REPORT (NASARAWA STATE) – The Nasarawa State Government has reactivated isolation center’s across the state and strengthened its disease surveillance system to ensure a prompt response to any potential spread of Ebola following the confirmation of a case in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory.
The Permanent Secretary of the State Ministry of Health, Dr Ibrahim Alhassan, disclosed this in an interview with journalists in Lafia while outlining measures being taken to prevent the disease from spreading into the state.
He said a task team, headed by the state epidemiologist, had been established to coordinate round-the-clock contact tracing, public sensitization and awareness campaigns.
Dr Alhassan urged residents to maintain good personal hygiene and promptly report any suspected symptoms of Ebola to the nearest health facility.
He added that disease surveillance officers across the state’s thirteen local government areas had been mobilized and placed on alert, particularly around major transport terminals and motor parks frequented by travelers.
Also, the Director of Public Health in the ministry, Dr Peter Attah, said local and international partners, including the World Health Organization (WHO), had been engaged in a series of meetings to assess the situation and strengthen the state’s preparedness for a prompt response.
Dr Attah disclosed that the state government had procured protective equipment for healthcare workers to enhance their safety while attending to patients.
He urged healthcare providers to obtain detailed travel and contact histories from patients presenting at health facilities to facilitate the early identification of suspected cases and ensure an appropriate response.
ARI, LIMAN AMINU
HEAD OF CENTRE,
FIC, LAFIA
