The Federal Government has directed health facilities across Nigeria to strengthen their isolation units and ensure the availability of protective equipment and medical supplies as part of efforts to prepare for a possible outbreak of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD).
The directive was disclosed by Dr Yunus Mohammed Eze, Deputy Head of Clinical Services at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Birnin Kudu, Jigawa State, during an interview with journalists.
Eze said the Federal Ministry of Health had instructed hospitals nationwide to put emergency response measures in place to facilitate the early detection, isolation and management of suspected Ebola cases.
According to him, FMC Birnin Kudu has responded to the directive by strengthening its isolation unit and placing healthcare workers on alert.
“The Federal Government, through the Ministry of Health, communicated with health facilities across the country and directed them to prepare their isolation units and ensure that everything required to protect healthcare workers and manage affected patients was available,” he said.
He explained that the hospital management immediately began implementing the measures after receiving the directive.
“Our isolation unit was strengthened, and we are prepared to isolate any suspected case and make referrals where necessary,” Eze added.
Hospital Intensifies Public Awareness
The medical expert said the hospital had also established arrangements to refer suspected or confirmed cases to designated treatment centres when necessary.
On public awareness, Eze disclosed that FMC Birnin Kudu had intensified health education activities through its Infectious Diseases Unit and Community Medicine Unit to educate residents about infectious diseases and preventive measures.
He added that the hospital was working with the Jigawa State Media Corporation to raise public awareness about disease prevention and the importance of promptly reporting suspected cases.
According to him, healthcare professionals also educate patients and visitors at the facility, encouraging them to share the information with their families and communities.
The preparedness measures are intended to strengthen the healthcare system’s capacity to identify and respond to suspected Ebola infections while protecting medical personnel and members of the public.
