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Tag: Jide Idris

  • Ambode’s wife welcomes first baby of the year

    Wife of Lagos State Governor, Mrs Bolanle Ambode on Tuesday, 1st of January welcomed the first baby of the year in the State that was delivered at 12am to the family of Mr and Mrs Adegbesan at Island Maternity, the baby weighed 3.7Kg.

    The annual celebration of the first baby of the year in the State held separately at Shomolu General Hospital, Maternal and Child Care Centre (MCC), Gbaja, and Lagos Island Maternity Hospital Tuesday.

    The governor’s wife restated her call for pregnant women in the State to always patronize government health facilities for safe delivery and also immunize their children against killer diseases.

    She said it was important for mothers to give quality attention and priority to the well-being of their children in the overall interest of the society.

    “The huge government expenditure on infant and maternal health infrastructure, could only be justified by commensurate use of the modern facilities by the women, their babies and the children”, she said.

    She noted further that government’s efforts in stemming maternal and infant mortality would be slow in materializing, if expectant mothers did not go to the centres to use the facilities.

    According to her, “I wish to note that Lagos State Government has continued to strengthen the health sector with the provision of neonatal care units, equipment and resources to our State hospitals, to enhance the quality of maternal and child care services in our State.

    “The workers in the Primary Health Care centres and General Hospitals are committed and determined to provide quality care, but you have to go there and use the facilities. Mother and Child Centres are also being located in nearly every neighbourhood of the State, for excellent infant and maternal health care delivery.”

    Read Also: Ambode swears in Muri-Okunola as HOS

    Stressing the need for immunization, she said: “My passionate appeal to mothers, therefore, is to ensure they complete the full course of immunization for their children, to prevent childhood killers like measles, diarrhea, pneumonia, tuberculosis, tetanus and hepatitis, to mention a few. In addition, parents must avoid the use of contaminated water, malnutrition and poor sanitation, as they also contribute to childhood mortality.

    The Governor’s wife also commended the National Population Commission (NPC) for registering newborns at Lagos hospitals, urging parents to always cooperate with the agency, for accurate data compilation.

    Besides, she urged expectant mothers to maintain good hygiene and health-promoting lifestyle in pregnancy, to ensure the well-being of their expected babies.

    Also speaking, the Commissioner for Health, Dr Jide Idris said as part of efforts to facilitate access to health care, the State Government recently implemented the Health Insurance scheme, and urged all residents to take advantage of the initiative.

    “It is our hope in this New Year, with the implementation of the Lagos State Health Scheme; more Lagosians will have access to improved services and enjoy the kind of care they would have been unable to before now.

    “With the exemplary leadership of His Excellency, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode, you can be confident that the State will continue to stimulate the required quality of health service delivery that is poised to address existing health gaps and even new health challenges that might emerge in the future,” Idris said.

    Also speaking, wife of the governorship candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC) for next year’s gubernatorial election in the State, Dr Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu commended Governor Ambode for his commitment and investment in provision of infrastructure to scale up the health sector.

    Ibijoke, who is the Chief Medical Director of Shomolu General Hospital, said it was on record that the facility had enjoyed tremendous support from the State Government, while the Governor recently approved funds to demolish and rebuild the distressed main building, among others.

    At Shomolu General Hospital, the first baby was delivered by the family of Awofeso Adara Ojo by 1:47am with a weight of 3.0kg, while at Gbaja MCC, the first baby was delivered by the family of Amudalat Ojo by 1:58am with a weight of 2kg.

    Aside the gifts given to the first babies, the wife of the governor also distributed Special Mummy’s Pack to all the babies at the three hospitals.

     

     

  • Lassa fever: Lagos on surveillance red alert – Official

    Lassa fever: Lagos on surveillance red alert – Official

    The Lagos State Government says it is maintaining relevant surveillance activities through its disease surveillance unit to prevent the spread of Lassa fever in the state.

    The state Commissioner for Health, Dr Jide Idris, said in a statement that prevention and control of the disease, however, remains a shared responsibility of all citizens.

    “Isolation wards have been prepared to manage suspected and confirmed cases, health workers have been placed on red alert and community sensitisation activities intensified.

    “There is need the public to ensure and maintain adequate personal hygiene and environmental sanitation at all times as part of prevention and control measures against the spread of Lassa fever in the state,’’ Idris said.

    The commissioner urged the public to store house-hold refuse in sanitary refuse bags or dust bins with tight-fitting covers to avoid infestation by rats and rodents.

    He also urged people to dispose refuse properly at designated dump sites and not into the drainage system and store food items in rodent-proof containers.

    According to him, by so doing, a habitable and conducive environment, and a disease-free state can be achieved.

    “Members of the public are further advised to avoid contact with rats and to always cover their food and water properly.

    “Cook all your food thoroughly, as well as block all holes in the septic tanks and holes through which rats can enter the house and clear rat hideouts within the premises,’’ he said.

    The commissioner urged health workers in public and private hospitals to ensure they observed universal safety precautions and complied with infection prevention and control measures when dealing with patients.

    He also stressed the need for workers to wear appropriate personal protective equipment like hand gloves, facemasks, goggles and overalls when attending to cases.

    “Safety boxes should be used for collection of used needles and syringes and general medical waste must be properly sorted out in colour-coded bags and disposed in line with international standards.

    “Hands must be washed often with soap and running water or application of hand sanitisers after each contact with patients or contaminated materials and instruments must be autoclaved.

    “Also hospital mattresses must be covered with plastic sheets to prevent contamination.

    “The plastic sheets must be large enough to cover the entire mattress, be waterproof, and be thoroughly disinfected after discharge of patients,’’ Idris said.

    According to him, Lassa fever is an acute viral infection caused by the Lassa virus that is associated with symptoms such as persistent high fever, general weakness of the body, malaise headache, sore throat, nausea, diarrhoea and vomiting.

    He said that the disease could progress into a severe form where the patient develops facial swelling, fluid in the chest.

    He said also that the patient could develop bleeding from the mouth, nose and the gut; low blood pressure, shock, disorientation, coma, and kidney and liver failure.

    NAN

  • Cholera kills two in Lagos

    Cholera kills two in Lagos

    Lagos State Government confirmed on Tuesday that two people have been killed in a new cholera outbreak in the state.

    The state Commissioner for Health, Dr. Jide Idris, who disclosed this during chat with journalists, said the outbreak was caused by contamination of water sources with faecal matter from faulty septic tanks and soak-away following the heavy rainfall experienced recently in several parts of the state.

    Places affected by the outbreak are – Somolu, Oshodi-Isolo and Surulere local government areas of the state.

    Idris said: “Following the heavy rainfall being experienced in the state recently and the aftermath flooding of some areas in the state, the ministry has been receiving notifications on upsurge of acute diarrhoea diseases in some local government areas.

    “At least 27 cases have been line-listed by the Epidemiolgy/Disease Surveillance Officers in the state as at today, regrettably two deaths were recorded from the 27 cases.

    “Six cases were recorded in Somolu LGA, one of which died. Four were managed at Somolu General Hospital, one was managed at a private hospital, another one was managed at Mainland Hospital, while one died at home.

    “Two cases were recorded in Oshodi-Isolo LGA. One was managed at a private hospital and he is alive, while one died at home.

    “14 cases were reported at Surulere LGA and managed at Randle General Hospital. No death was recorded.”

    He said samples of well water were collected and sent to the Lagos State Drug Quality Control Laboratory.

    “It has become necessary to remind the general public once again that acute diarrhoea disease with or without vomiting is caused by a bacteria disease transmitted through ingestion of food or water contaminated with infective faeces,” the commissioner added.

    He urged the public to maintain hygienic condition, adding that the government has instituted measures towards quick containment and control of the outbreak.

     

     

  • Malaria: Lagos records 1.2m cases in 2016 – Commissioner

    The Lagos State Government on Thursday said it was committed to ensuring the control of malaria, as it was endemic in the state and affected human development.

    The Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Dr Jide Idris, who made the assertion at the 5th “Doctors Discuss Malaria’’ Progamme, in Lagos, said the state recorded 1, 199, 002 cases in 2016.

    According to Idris, represented by Dr Rebecca Ayorinde, Assistant Programme Coordinator, Lagos State Malaria Elimination Prevention, the cases of malaria were documented through routine data collection processes.

    The event, which has the theme, “Maternal Health and Malaria Priority Access for Women’’, was to commemorate the 2017 World Malaria Day 2017.

    Idris said: “Malaria is endemic in Lagos State.

    “It poses major challenges to the state as it impedes human development.

    “It is both a cause and consequence of under-development and remains one of the leading causes of morbidity in the state.

    “The cosmopolitan nature of the state, coupled with people’s behaviour and the abundant distribution of coastal areas, encourage the availability of stagnant water for the breeding of anopheles mosquitoes.

    “This is responsible for the stable pattern and continuous transmission of malaria all year round.

    “Malaria therefore remains a priority disease and the state government will continue to demonstrate its commitment to its control’’.

    Idris said the government was tackling the scourge of malaria through some preventive measures that included environmental management and integrated vector control.

    “Others are monitoring and evaluation with emphasis on operational research and the use of its results for evidence-based programming.

    “Lagos State Ministry of Health provides Long Lasting Insecticidal Nets to pregnant women at antenatal clinic booking and children under the age of five years.

    “It also provides Sulpahdoxine Pyrimethamine for the Intermittent Prevention of Malaria in Pregnancy (IPTp) in antenatal clinics.

    “Also, the state conducts Indoor Residual Spraying and Larviciding in selected local governments in the state,’’ he said.

    Idris said that the routine data collected from the private health sector in 2016 showed that 56 per cent of pregnant women received at least one dose of IPTp.

    “About 93 per cent of confirmed cases received appropriate treatment for malaria and 74 per cent of persons with fever received a parasitological test.

    “These statistics show there is still a lot to be done to increase access to malaria prevention, diagnosis and treatment services in the state,’’ he said.

    The commissioner advised that all fever cases be tested for malaria before treatment.

    “It is important to test before treatment, a policy by the Federal Ministry of Health, which states that all fever cases should be tested and confirmed before treatment,’’ he said.

    Contributing, Prof. Akin Osibogun said that in spite of the progress and improvement in malaria prevention globally, it still remained a major concern to public health.

    Osibogun, a former Chief Medical Director of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Idi-Araba, said that 92 per cent of deaths in Africa were as a result of malaria.

    On the effects of malaria on maternal health, he said: “Most times, pregnant women and children are at higher risk of malaria, particularly pregnant woman because of their weak immunity.

    “Malaria in pregnant woman can lead to preterm babies or even still birth babies.

    “The foetus gets most of the nutrition through the placenta but once the placenta is affected by malaria parasites it leads to reduction of the foetus; this causes low birth weight in the babies.’’

    On some prevention strategies, Osibogun said: “According to WHO, the new guidelines says that pregnant women should have IPtp till delivery.

    “The usage of Long Lasting Insecticidal Net (LLIN) must be used regularly by pregnant women and children.

    “It is also important to control the vector that transmits malaria, which is mosquito, by making sure there is no stagnant water in the environment.

    “The critical strategy to prevent malaria in pregnant woman is to increase the use of Insecticide-Treated Nets and indoor spraying with insecticides,’’ Osibogun said.

    In her remarks, Dr Yetunde Ayo-Oyalowo, the convener of “Doctors Discuss Malaria’’ said that preventing malaria in pregnancy was critical to elevating health and welfare of Nigerian families.

    She said that the training of doctors and nurses was also critical to end the scourge of malaria.

    “A lot of this responsibility is on us as doctors to understand how to break the malaria cycle.

    “We must be able to recognise and treat malaria and propagating testing before treating.

    “Over the past years, we have trained a total of 1,542 doctors on the management of malaria.

    “This is aimed at creating a strong health system of which the human resource is of great importance to offer access to prevent new cases and ensure lifesaving treatment for patients,’’ Ayo-Oyalowo said.

  • Lagos to establish agency to manage health insurance scheme

    Lagos to establish agency to manage health insurance scheme

    …Partners firm to end medical tourism

     

    The Lagos State Government on Wednesday revealed plans to establish an agency by law to manage the State’s health insurance scheme expected to be rolled out soon.

    Briefing Government House Correspondents at the end of a meeting of the AXA Mansard Insurance Group with the State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, Commissioner for Health, Jide Idris said the Government would provide the enabling environment for the private sector to participate in the scheme with the view to increasing access to healthcare delivery.

    He said the Mansard Group has already indicated interest to be part of the State’s Health Insurance scheme, adding that Government would also appoint health insurance agents who would act between Government and the people to ensure the success of the scheme.

    “They (Mansard Group) have expressed their interest to partner with us on our health insurance scheme which we are rolling out very soon. It is a financing scheme for the system and a way of introducing reforms, re-jig the system and make it better.

    “We have provided that enabling environment in the sense that we are going to have an agency by law and every resident of Lagos is going to contribute to that purse. We will be using both public and private health providers and that is where AXA Mansard comes in with healthcare facilities.

    “Also to enable us process the programme properly, we are using what we call health insurance agents. Those ones will act between Government and the people with respect to providing the health insurance scheme,” Idris said.

    The Commissioner also said that AXA Mansard Insurance Plc would also be partnering with the State Government to deliver affordable and quality health care service to the people and transform the State into the medical tourism centre not just for Nigeria but Sub-Saharan Africa.
    Giving more details on the partnership, Chief Executive Officer of Mansard Insurance, Mrs Yetunde Ilori said having keenly followed the activities of the State Government and the passion of the Governor on healthcare delivery, the firm thought it important to partner with government in the best interest of the people.
    “We are here to show our intention to partner with the State Government in the area of healthcare delivery and we are about putting in place in Lekki a world class 150-bed hospital.

    “This is just a tiny bit compared to our need in Nigeria but we want to run like a hub and expand subsequently. We are going to have some Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) on the Mainland in Lagos and from there we go to entire Nigeria.

    “We are not in any way in doubt of the support as pledged at the concluded meeting with the Governor that this is not going to be an abandoned project because we are going to have all the support needed and in that wise, our intention is to make Lagos a kind of medical tourism centre where people in sub-Saharan Africa will be coming to Nigeria to receive healthcare instead of going to places like India,” Ilori said.

    On his part, Mansard’s Chief Client Officer, Mr Tosin Runsewe said the courtesy visit to Governor Ambode, apart from the partnership on healthcare delivery, was also to appreciate all the State Government has been doing in the last two years to revamp physical infrastructure in the State, adding that it was obvious that a lot had been done in scaling up ease of doing business and security.

    “We are looking at partnering with the State in terms of social infrastructure and healthcare clearly falls along this line and we are bringing the expertise of Axa Mansard to bear upon this particular area. We will executive, over the next couple of years, social infrastructure in the area of medical facilities and we will be linking this with the health insurance we have already to ensure that Lagos residents have access to medical care at affordable prices,” Runsewe said.

     

  • Beware of dog bites, Lagos warns

    Beware of dog bites, Lagos warns

    The Lagos State Ministry of Health has warned that the public should be wary of rabies, especially in dogs.
    Pet owners, especially dogs  were asked  to get them vaccinated – The first dose at three months, booster dose at one year; and subsequently every three years.
    It also warned that all cases of dog bites must be reported, investigated and the victim adequately treated.
    The Commissioner of Health, Lagos State Dr Jide Idris gave the warning  on Thursday while announcing cases of rabies that were admitted at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Idi Araba.
    Dr Idris said two cases of rabies happened within two weeks and both were admitted at LUTH.
    He said: “The first case was that of a 49 year old male living at Igbogbo in Ikorodu. He was bitten by his three months old dog that was earlier bitten by a new dog he bought six weeks before the incident. The two dogs were observed to be behaving abnormally and then killed. The patient was admitted at LUTH on the 8th of this month and died within a few hours of admission.
    “The second case was that of a 33-year-old male living in Ajara Badagry. The patient presented at LUTH on March Nineth with a history of restlessness, agitation, hydrophobia and aerophobia. The patient was given Tetanus Toxoid after the bite and the dog was killed. The patient died on the 13th of this month.”
    Dr Idris said it is good to educate the public that rabies is a disease caused by the rabies virus of the Lyssa genus but it is is a vaccine preventable viral disease which occurs in more than 150 countries.
    Rabies is one of the 17 major neglected tropical diseases and it occurs mainly in the poor vulnerable populations whose deaths are rarely reported and where human vaccines and immunogbobulin are not readily available or accessible.
    It is 99.9 percent fatal. Children between the ages of five and fourteen are very vulnerable to dying of rabies because of their frequent interactions with dogs and their small size.
    “People are usually infected following a deep bite or scratch by an infected animal. More than 99 percent of human rabies is caused by dog bites while other mammals such as bats, foxes and raccoons can transmit rabies to humans. It affects the central nervous system and is transmitted through the saliva and nervous tissue of an infected animal,” Dr Idris stated.
    He said once a dog bites anybody First aid measure should be administered.
    The first treatment involves immediate and thorough flushing and washing of the wound for a minimum of 15 minutes with soap and water, detergent, providone iodine or other substances that kill the rabies virus. 
    “Post-exposure prophylaxix (PEP) vaccines should be given to the victim on 0, 3, 7, 14 and 28 days of the incidence at a registered health facility which are given,” Dr Idris said.
  • Lassa Fever: 92 under watch in Lagos, govt assures residents

    Lassa Fever: 92 under watch in Lagos, govt assures residents

    Ninety two persons are being monitored by the Lagos State Ministry of Health following the confirmation of a Lassa Fever case in the state.
    Those placed on 21 days compulsory monitoring include 15 in-patients who were admitted alongside the index case as well as 25 health workers who attended to them at Ahmmadiyah Hospital, Ojokoro in Alimoso Local Government Area.
    The State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Jide Idris who confirmed the development on Saturday however called on residents to remain calm over the outbreak of the disease.
    He said everything possible is being done to curtail the spread of the virus in the State.
    Idris confirmed that the index case, a 25-year-old male undergraduate of the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Kaduna State, was reported to have fallen ill after arriving in Lagos and was taken to Ahmmadiyyah Hospital, Ojokoro on January 9 with complaint of fever, sore throats and difficulty in swallowing.
    He said the patient was subsequently placed on admission for six days and was thereafter referred by the said private hospital to the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) on January 14, 2016 owing to the fact that the fever was persistent and his condition was not improving.
    According to Idris, the patient was confirmed as a case of Lassa fever on January 15, at LUTH, and is currently being managed to the extent that his condition is now stable.
    Idris added that the phone numbers and addresses of the persons being monitored have also been collected for proper tracking.
    Any of the persons in that category with temperature above 38.5, according to Idris, would be isolated so as to prevent the spread of the disease, while they have also been advised on the need to maintain little or no contact with others, at least for now.
    The Commissioner said: “Though Lassa fever and Ebola Virus Disease belong to the same Viral Hemorrhagic fever group, Lassa fever is milder and can be treated and cured if defected early. Therefore, any persistent fever should be reported to the nearest public health facility.
    “Residents are urged to watch out for the signs and symptoms of Lassa fever which typically occur with incubation period of 1-3 weeks after the patient comes into contact with the virus. Early symptoms of the disease include fever, headache, chills, diarrheas, nausea, vomiting, sore throat, backache, and joint pains.
    “Late symptoms include bleeding from the eyes, ears and nose, bleeding from the mouth and rectum, eye swelling, swelling of the genitals and rashes all over the body that often contain blood. It could progress to coma, shock and death,” he said.
    While stating that drugs and other materials have been prepositioned at the designated facilities across the State, Idris said isolation centres have equally been prepared to manage suspected and confirmed cases, adding that the State Government is fully prepared to manage the situation and as such people should not panic for whatever reasons.

  • Ambode swears in commissioners, SAs

    Ambode swears in commissioners, SAs

    Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, on Monday sworn- in the newly appointed members of the state executive council.

    Those inaugurated included 23 commissioners and 14 Special Advisers.

    The ceremony which took place at Adeyemi Bero Hall, Alausa, Ikeja, was attended by principal officers of the state government.

    The new commissioners are – Gbolahan Lawal (Housing), Dr. Jide Idris (Health), Folarin Coker (Tourism, Arts and Culture),  Seye Oladejo (Special Duties and Intergovernmental Relations),  Engr. Ganiyu Johnson (Works and Infrastructure), Mr. Oluwatoyin Suarau (Agriculture), Mr. Rotimi Ogunleye (Commerce, Industry and Cooperatives), Mr. Akinyemi Ashade (Economic Planning and Budget) and Dr. Babatunde Adejare (Environment).

    Others are – Mr. Olawale Oluwo (Energy and Mineral Resources), Dr. Benson Akintola (Establishment, Training and Pensions), Dr. Mustapha Akinkunmi (Finance), Dr. Abdul-Hakeem Abdul-Lateef (Home Affairs), Mr. Steve Ayorinde (Information and Strategy), Mr. Adeniji Kazeem (Justice), Alhaji Musiliu Folami (Local Government, Community Affairs) Wasiu Anifowoshe (Physical Planning and Urban Development) and Mr. Olufemi Odubiyi (Science and Technology).

    Dr. Ekundayo Mobereola (Transportation), Engr. Adebowale Akinsanya (Waterfront Infrastructure Development), Mr. Babatunde Durosinmi-Etti (Wealth Creation and Employment), Hon. Lola Akande, (Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation) and Mrs. Uzamat Akinbile-Yusuf (Youth and Social Development) completed the list.

    The inaugurated Special Advisers are – Mr. Ayodeji Tinubu (Sports and Chairman Lagos State Sports Council), Mr. Ganiu Okanlomo Sanni (Food Security), Mrs. Yetunde Onabolu (Urban Development), Mr. Kehinde Joseph (Civic Engagement), Hon. Adebimpe Akinsola (Arts and Culture), Dr. Olufemi Onanuga )Primary Healthcare), Mr. Obafela Bank-Olemoh (Education) and Hon. Adeyemi Olabinj (Commerce).

    The rest are – Prince Anofi Elegushi (Transport), Mr. Babatunde Hunpe (Environment), Prof. Ademola Abass (Overseas Affairs and Investment), Mrs. Aramide Giwanson (Housing), Mr. Kehinde Bamigbetan (Community and Communications) and Mr. Agboola Dabiri (Central Business District).

     

  • Lagos combating malaria, says Idris

    Lagos combating malaria, says Idris

    The Lagos State government has developed a multi-pronged strategy to control and eliminate malaria, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Jide Idris, has said.

    They include vector control interventions, preventive therapies, diagnostic testing, treatment with quality-assured Artemisinin-based Combination Therapies (ACTs), and strong malaria surveillance.

    Idris spoke at a community sensitisation campaign to commemorate the World Malaria Day at the Amu Market in Mushin Local Government Area.

    He said various integrated preventive measures that have been put in place by the government are geared towards combating malaria.

    Highlighting the various integrated preventive measures, the commissioner said Long Lasting Insecticide Nets (LLINs) have been deployed to communities.

    He said nets were also distributed in public health facilities to children who had completed their immunisation schedule and also to expectant mothers, who registered for antenatal care.

    “Another preventive strategy being deployed is the Indoor Residual Spraying (IRS), which is the application of long-acting chemical insecticides on the walls and roofs of houses for the effect of curtailing malaria transmission.

    The sixth round in the series of IRS activities was implemented in seven local governments-Ojo, Ikorodu, Badagry, Amuwo-Odofin, Kosofe, Epe and Ibeju-Lekki LGAs in 2014 and approximately 650,000 rooms were sprayed,” Idris said.

    Represented by the Deputy Director,Disease Control, Dr. Rotimi Agbolagorite, the commissioner  added that the ministry had also implemented larviciding; which is the application of larvicides to bodies of water to attack mosquito larvae in Ikosi-Isheri and Agboyi Ketu local council development areas both within the Kosofe Local Government Area.

    Idris said the government has also made available in all public health facilities, malaria case management, which entails the compulsory diagnosis of malaria either by the use of the Rapid Diagnostic Test kits or microscopy and effective treatment with the use of Artemisinin Combination Therapies (ACTs) antimalarials.

  • Lagos to support First Consultants with N50m

    Lagos to support First Consultants with N50m

    The Lagos State government has said it would support First Consultant Hospital, Obalende, Lagos, with N50million.

    The hospital was the first to treat the Ebola Virus Disease case in Nigeria.

    Commissioner for Health Jide Idris, who spoke in Alausa yesterday, said it would extend similar gestures to the 20 victims either dead or alive.

    Idris added that the gesture should not be mistaken for compensation but should  been seen as a goodwill gesture.

    “Having addressed the human angle in containing the outbreak, there is now the need to address the economic consequences.

    “Under consideration are support for the victims (dead or alive) and N50million  business support to  First Consultants Medical Centre.

    “This is to help people/businesses back on their feet.

    “It needs to be stated clearly that this is not an attempt at compensation but a gesture of goodwill on the government’s part.”

    He said the government would inaugurate a 24-hour Ebola surveillance team to deal with any emergency.

    “Ebola Virus Disease Team on 24/7 standby is to be created with an ambulance as well as an EVD clinician team leader and a driver. Five of such teams will be available. Decontamination team consisting of at least a driver, two environmental health officers and a supervisor will also be created. Two of such teams will be available,” he added.