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Tag: Onyebuchi Chukwu

  • Ebola fully controlled, says minister

    Ebola fully controlled, says minister

    There is no new Ebola virus case in Nigeria, Minister of Health Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu said yesterday.

    But an 18-month-old has been quarantined in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, the second city outside Lagos where the virus has been discovered.

    The minister spoke in Abuja. Rivers State Commissioner Dr. Sampson Parker spoke in Port Harcourt. Both of them were giving updates on the Ebola situation.

    They gave slightly different figures on the cases. The minister said 477 people were under surveillance in Rivers. The commissioner said 479 were.

    The minister said: “At the moment, only one person, the wife of the Port Harcourt doctor who died, is under treatment in the isolation ward in Lagos. She no longer has any symptoms and is undergoing series of tests preparatory to her discharge this week.”

    Chukwu said another patient was discharged on Sunday. The patient according to him, is the sister of Port Harcourt doctor Iyke Enemuo.

    “It has been 50 days since Ebola Virus Disease was imported into Nigeria through Lagos, and 38 days since it was introduced into Port Harcourt. So far, all the cases that have been confirmed in Nigeria are traceable to the index case, Mr. Sawyer,” the minister said, adding:

    “As of this morning, the total number of confirmed cases of EVD in Nigeria is 19, 15 in Lagos, four  in Port Harcourt.

    “The 19th case is the fiancé of one of the primary contacts of Mr. Sawyer’s who died of the disease. The test results were equivocal but further tests established the disease. He had only mild symptoms and he has since recovered from the illness. He was quarantined but because of the equivocal test result he was not placed on active treatment.

    “The total number of deaths from EVD in Nigeria stands at seven. Five of this died in Lagos, one  in a private hospital, the index case Mr. Sawyer, and the other four in the isolation ward in Lagos State.”

    “Two of the seven (7) died in Port Harcourt, the medical doctor who died in a private hospital and the contact, a patient in the hospital at the time the doctor was also on admission, who died in the isolation ward in Rivers State.

    The total number of patients who have been successfully managed and discharged stands at nine.

    “The latest is the sister of the Port Harcourt doctor who was discharged from the isolation ward in Rivers State yesterday (on Sunday). (It should be noted that the nine patients successfully managed and discharged are among the total number of 11 survivors of EVD in Nigeria.

    “At the moment, only one person, the wife of the Port Harcourt doctor, is on treatment in the isolation ward in Lagos. She no longer has any symptoms and is undergoing series of tests preparatory to her discharge from the isolation ward this week.

    “Regarding contacts currently under surveillance, Lagos has 27 contacts surveillance, as of now. A total of 339 contacts who were previously on surveillance have been discharged, having completed 21 days of observation.

    “Port Harcourt has 477 contacts under surveillance. It is a mixed group consisting of tertiary and quaternary contacts of Mr. Sawyer’s. Five  contacts have already been discharged from surveillance in Port Harcourt, having completed 21 days of observation.”

    The minister also said that ambulances, motorcycles and other medical equipment had been distributed to Port Health to effectively work at the borders and ports.

    Dispelling the rumours, Chukwu said: “In the last one week, a number of EVD rumours have been investigated and all the cases have turned out to be Ebola negative. Specifically, the rumours in Kebbi, Kaduna, Lagos, Lagos, Oyo, Ebonyi, Delta and Sokoto states as well as the Federal Capital Territory  have all been debunked.”

    He said the United States made the pledge of 30 body scanners in error. “What eventually the US donated were 30 handheld infra-red thermometers, which have been put to service,” the minister explained.

    Parker also said the late Enemuo’s sister, Chinyere who tested positive to the virus, had been discharged from the centre.

    He said the baby became symptomatic at the weekend and was moved to the treatment centre, but was yet to be tested.  The toddler was apparently among the number classified as high-risk.

    “We have successfully treated and discharged an Ebola patient from our treatment centre. She was positive and she has been treated successfully and now negative. She has been re-united with her family members.

    “A symptomatic contact was also discharged. He tested negative to the virus and was treated for something else and discharged.

    “Right now we have another admission, an 18 months old infant but yet to be tested.

    The commissioner expressed gratitude for the first victory and said about 479 contacts were under watch in the state, and 94 per cent of them are already being followed up; the remaining fraction would be covered before the end of yesterday.

    He believes that the spread of the virus would be controlled in the state as has been done in Lagos.

    “Agree that the disease has not yet got any cure, but it can be successfully managed, and we have done it, not just in Lagos, but now in Port Harcourt. Let us give God the glory and be confident in ourselves, and go about our normal duties,” Parker said, adding:

    “We all need to be on bended knees, this week and next, and then we will be coasting home. Ebola is a 21-day disease; most of the people under surveillance will be rounding up by within this period. So, if we are not flooded up this week and next, then we will be coasting home. All hands must be on deck to make sure that we’re prepared for any eventuality.

    “We have about 479 contacts now, about 94 per cent of them are being followed up; by today, we will cover all of them. Our points of entry are now well covered. Activities there have improved and going on very well and our workers fully on ground.”

    “On the announcement of resumption of schools on September 22 by the Federal Government, Rivers State is at the peak of our battle against Ebola outbreak; so, the state government will review the situation as it is before adopting that date.

    “We will sit down and review the whole situation and come up with a date. It may be the same date or a different date. Remember, also that the Federal Government has said the date already released is still subject to review.”

  • No new cases of Ebola in Nigeria, says Health Minister

    No new cases of Ebola in Nigeria, says Health Minister

    The Minister of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu, has debunked the rumours making the rounds that there is a fresh outbreak of the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in the country.

    He spoke yesterday at a news conference on the update on the virus.

    Chukwu said the information was untrue.

    He said besides the cases in Lagos and Port Harcourt, there were no other cases.

    According to him, at the moment, only one person, the wife of a Port Harcourt doctor, is on treatment in an isolation ward in Lagos.

    The minister went on: “She no longer shows any symptom and is undergoing tests, preparatory to her discharge this week.

    Seven people have died from the deadly Ebola Virus Disease, including Mr. Patrick Sawyer, the Liberian-American, who brought the virus into the country.”

    He said another patient was discharged on Sunday. The patient, according to him, is the sister of the Port Harcourt doctor, Iyke Enemuo.

    His words: “It has been 50 days since the Ebola Virus Disease was brought into the country through Lagos and 38 days since it was brought to Port Harcourt.

    “So far, all the cases confirmed in the country are traceable to the index case, the Liberian-American, Mr. Patrick Sawyer.

    “As at this morning, the number of confirmed cases of EVD in the country is 19, 15 in Lagos and four in Port Harcourt.

    “The 19th case is the fiancé of one of the primary contacts of Mr. Sawyer. The test results were equivocal but further tests established the disease. He had only mild symptoms and had  recovered. He was quarantined but because of the equivocal test result, he was not placed on active treatment.

    “The total number of deaths from EVD stands at seven. Five of this died in Lagos, one in a private hospital, the index case Mr. Sawyer, and the other four in the isolation ward in Lagos.

    Two of the seven died in Port Harcourt, the medical doctor, who died in a private hospital and the contact, a patient in the hospital at the time the doctor was also on admission, who died in the isolation ward in Rivers State.

    “The total number of patients, who have been successfully managed and discharged, stands at nine.

    “The latest is the sister of the Port Harcourt doctor, who was discharged from the isolation ward yesterday. The nine patients successfully managed and discharged are among the total number of 11 survivors of EVD in the country.

    “At the moment, only one person, the wife of the Port Harcourt doctor, is on treatment in the isolation ward in Lagos. She no longer has any symptom and is undergoing tests, preparatory to her discharge from the isolation ward this week.

    “Regarding contacts under surveillance, Lagos has 27 contacts surveillance. Three hundred and thirty-nine contacts, who were on surveillance, have been discharged, having completed 21 days of observation.

    Port Harcourt has 477 contacts under surveillance. It is a mixed group consisting of tertiary and quaternary contacts of Mr. Sawyer. Five contacts have been discharged from surveillance in Port Harcourt, having completed 21 days of observation.”

    The minister said ambulances, motorcycles and medical equipment have been distributed to Port Harcourt, to curb the spread of the Ebola virus.

    He said: “In the last one week, a number of EVD rumours have been investigated and the cases have turned out to be Ebola negative. Specifically, the rumours in Kebbi, Kaduna, Lagos, Lagos, Oyo, Ebonyi, Delta and Sokoto states as well as the Federal Capital Territory have been debunked.”

    Chukwu took the opportunity to clarify that the United States made a pledge of 30 body scanners in error.

    He said: “What the US donated were 30 handheld infra-red thermometers, which have been put to service.”

    The Health Minister, who warned against the stigmatisation of patients, assured that the country’s medical team had the expertise to manage the virus.

    Said he: “We urge countries and individuals not to profile or stigmatise anyone on account of EVD. We have observed that some countries have selectively quarantined Nigerian travellers without any health or scientific basis. Let me say clearly that while any individual from any country can be a carrier of the EVD and transmit same to others, no Nigerian has introduced EVD to any country. “Nigeria will support the protocols approved by the World Health Organisation (WHO), which does not support the closure of borders, does not restrict travels and does not stigmatise anyone on the basis of the passport one carries.”

     

  • Ebola: African scientists must wake up

    SIR: We have been told that the federal government requested for the experimental drugs being developed by the United States Centre for Disease Control and Prevention for the treatment of Ebola victims in Nigeria. But the Americans rejected giving the country drugs for now on the grounds that it is only an experimental drug. Whenever the United States decides to accede to Nigeria’s request, the Centre for Disease Control should demand from American virologists the transparency of their work because US often uses its aids to attain its own interests.

    Now, US has dismissed claims that Nano–silver has the capacity to prevent the deadly Ebola virus shortly after the minister of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu, announced that patients in Lagos would be treated with the experimental drug.

    African scientists should directly participate in researches about Ebola prevention and cure in order to checkmate any evil schemes of foreign scientists. The current Ebola outbreak has killed over 1000 people and portends bad omen for Africa. Officially there is no vaccine to prevent it yet. But it is known that the Pentagon actively works in this sphere, and some international experts doubt that if the US finds the vaccine against Ebola, it would readily help African countries with it without any strings attached.

     

    • Steve Mohammed

    Sapele, Delta State

     

  • Health council seeks control of bush meat’s importation

    Health council seeks control of bush meat’s importation

    THE Federal Government and the 36 states have empowered government agencies to regulate the importation of bush meet.

    Also, states have been asked to discourage the consumption locally.

    Minister of Health Onyebuchi Chukwu disclosed this while briefing reporters yesterday at the end of the second emergency meeting of National Council on Health (NCH) in Abuja.

    The NCH is the highest decision making body in the health sector. It comprises of the 36 states’ Commissioners of Health, including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

    The minister said: “Council requested that the Federal Ministry of Health should immediately work out and conclude on the guidelines with all relevant stakeholders, including the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and the Nigeria Customs Service to regulate the importation of bush meet into the country and also discourage the consumption locally.

    “Council resolved that all Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) must be procured in accordance with World Health Organisation (WHO) specifications and from WHO accredited and certified manufacturers or suppliers.

    “Council reiterated and reaffirmed that the Chief Spokesperson for the health sector in relation to Ebola viral disease remains the Minister of Health.

    “The council also reaffirmed that the Federal Government leads at emergency centre operation centres, but in collaboration with state governments and development partners.”

    Chukwu added that the council resolved that the Federal Ministry of Health should continue to provide state ministries of health, the FCT as well as the military and para-military groups with the needed technical support to hasten the training of health workers on containment strategies.

    He added that the meeting also directed the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control to re-circulate the protocols and standard of operating procedures for the management of Ebola Virus Disease cases to all states.

     

    END

     

  • Govt: Ebola virus now contained

    Govt: Ebola virus now contained

    •Schools to reopen Oct. 13

    Nigeria has contained the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) imported into the country 28 days ago by the late Liberian-American Patrick Sawyer, Health Minister Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu said yesterday.

    Chukwu said there is only one case left, adding that the person is being treated in the isolation ward in Lagos. The patient, the minister said he got the virus through secondary contract, adding that he is in a stable condition.

    Five deaths were recorded, all of them got the virus from contracts with the index – Sawyer. Among them is Dr. Stella Adadevoh, a consultant with the First Consultant Hospital, who reviewed Sawyer’s case and prevented him from being discharged after his Ebola status was established.

    Lagos State Health Commissioner Dr. Jide Idris, also yesterday denied rumours on the social media that Dr. Adadevoh’s sister had contracted the EVD.

    “She tested negative,” he insisted and admonished Nigerians against rumour mongering.

    Dr. Idris said three those who died from the virus were cremated (including Sawyer). The other two were buried in line with the World Health organization (WHO) specification.

    The Federal Government also yesterday extended the reopening of schools – public and private – to October 13 to prevent the spread of Ebola.

    Schools were scheduled to resume in the second week of next month.

    The only patient being treated now, according to the Health Minister’s update, signed by his aide Mr. Dan Nwomeh, is a secondary contact, whose spouse was of one of the physicians who participated in the management of the Liberian.

    He said: “As I speak to you, Nigeria has only one confirmed case of EVD”.

    She is stable but still on treatment at the Isolation ward in Lagos.

    “So far, all the reported cases of the EVD in Nigeria have their root in the index case, the late Mr. Sawyer. This is an indication that, thus far, Nigeria has contained the disease outbreak.

    “I wish to reassure Nigerians and indeed the global community that the government shall remain vigilant and will not relent as government continues to work with her partners to ensure that the disease is kept out of the country.”

    The Minister added that 129 persons had been freed from surveillance, having passed through the 21 days incubation period for the virus without testing positive.

    Similarly, 128 persons are still within the radar of government for the virus, the Minister added. “All those who are under our surveillance, only one person is symptomatic; we are investigating, the result is not out. All others are not symptomatic,” the Minister stated.

    “As of today, 26th August, 2014, Nigeria has had thirteen (13) cases of EVD including the index case.

    “Of these thirteen (13), five (5), including the index case unfortunately did not survive the disease and are now dead.

    “However, seven (7) of the infected persons were successfully managed at the Isolation ward in Lagos and have been discharged.

    Two (2) of the treated patients, a male doctor and a female nurse, were discharged yesterday evening, 25th August, 2014, having satisfied the criteria for discharge.”

    The minister also debunked the insinuation that the sister of Dr Stella Adadevoh who died of Ebola virus had tested positive to the virus. He said: “She is negative.”

    On the N1.9 billion approved by President Goodluck Jonathan, to fight the Ebola battle, he explained:  “We did say that the N1.9billion that the President approved was for the Federal Ministry of Health. That fund was provided based on the budget that the Federal Ministry of Health submitted to Mr. President. It was not termed an Ebola fund.

    “I repeat, because now I hear that in some places, even village heads are asking for their own share. Nigeria is always thinking of sharing money. It is money for the Federal Ministry of Health to use in working. They are going to use it to procure more vehicles; which have already been ordered.

    “They are going to use it to procure more personal protective equipment which have already been ordered. They are going to use it to provide isolation tents, which again have been ordered, including drugs which will be used to support the patients. It is a budget for the Federal Ministry of Health and its agencies as submitted by the Federal Ministry of Health to Mr. President.

    “What I am saying is that there will still be other funds that will be released in various ways depending on what any of the cognate agencies is requesting from Mr. President.

    “Now, in the case of Lagos State, after the President met with governors and their Commissioners for Health, it was clear, even from the statement made by the Lagos State governor, that Lagos State is also under pressure because many of the workers we are using are in Lagos State. We can’t shortly go and start recruiting people. We work with the state. It is just that in every epidemic, the Federal Government with the Minister of Health in the front, takes control of epidemic. It is not a state government matter.

    “But, we use state personnel as well as local government personnel; our partners are part of it. But, the leader of the team is the Minister of Health.

    “So, Lagos State government has been spending money. They pay salary to staff; they’ve been recruiting more staff. They give these staff incentive. They provided the isolation ward. But, we led and decided who should work there. The minister of health created the teams that are working.”

    Dr. Idris added: “We have listed 331 contacts from day one, out of these, we followed up 159 who have been discharged. 158 contacts are currently being followed up.”

    He said a woman whose case led to the closure of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Clinic in Lagos, tested negative and had since been discharged.

    Idris said eight doctors,nine nurses and other volunteers working in various capacity are fully involved in attending to patients at the isolation centre.

    He said the government has a special life insurance cover for them.

    Asked about the N200million released by the Federal Government, Idris said the state had not received the cash, adding that the delay could be as a result of the processes involved in fund disbursement.

    “As at this morning, we have not received any fund from the Federal Government, but we understand that the process of releasing money go through processes and we are hoping to receive it soon.

    On the re-opening of First Consultant Hospital, he said there is the need to carry out a complete decontamination of equipment in the hospital, adding that once this is completed, the hospital will reopen for use.

    “This strain of Ebola virus imported into the state by the late Liberian Patrick Sawyer is one out of five. If anybody gets this strain, and is discharged, the chances of having it again is almost impossible, but they could be re infected by other four strains.”

    National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples’ Democratic Party, Chief Olisa Metuh, donated N1 million to help contain the virus.

    He said: “This is the first time in the history of our country that our elected and appointed people and leaders have risen to the great challenge we are facing. I want to commend the health workers for the risk they have taken, their commitment, their dedication to their duties in assisting the entire populace to completely be ready for this challenge.

     

     

    Schools to reopen Oct. 13

    The Federal Government has directed that all public and private schools should remain closed till October 13.

    This is to prevent the outbreak of the Ebola virus.

    Minister of Education, Malam Ibrahim Shekarau, stated this yesterday in Abuja after an extensive meeting with Commissioners of Education.

    Schools were initially expected to re-open for the 2014/2015 academic session in the second week of September.

    He said all Federal Government colleges should also comply with the directive.

    Shekarau said each State Ministry of Education should appoint designated Desk Officers on Ebola information not later than September 1.

    States ministries of education, he said, should immediately organise and ensure that at least two people in each school, both public and private are trained by appropriate health workers on how to handle any suspected case of Ebola and also embark on immediate sensitisation of all teaching and non-teaching staff in all schools on preventive measures.

    This training, the minister ordered must be concluded not later than September 15.

    He urged state governments to support their ministries of education with all necessary funds to ensure effective implementation of the preventive measures.

    A follow-up meeting to review the decision was fixed for September 23.

    The minister added: “All primary and secondary schools, both public and private should be provided with a minimum of two blood pressure measuring equipment by the State Ministries of Education. The state ministries should determine the number of such equipment required and forward same to the Federal Ministry of Education, not later than 1st September, 2014. The Federal Ministry of Education will liaise with the Federal Ministry of Health to ensure that appropriate equipment is procured.

    “All the above measures shall also apply in all Federal Government colleges. All summer classes currently being conducted by some private schools should be suspended with immediate effect until 13the October, 2014. All private primary and secondary schools must comply with the directive given under these preventive measures.

    “State governments are called upon to support their state Ministries of Education with all necessary funds to ensure effective implementation of these preventive measures. All tertiary institutions are advised to suspend exchange of staff and students programs, visits and major international seminars and workshops until further notice. They are also to monitor the movement of foreign students in their campuses. They are to liaise with appropriate government health institutions to organize and ensure effective sensitization programme for all their teaching and non-teaching staff.”

  • Ebola: FG confirms two new cases

    Ebola: FG confirms two new cases

    The Federal Government has confirmed two new cases of Ebola Virus Disease in the country, bringing to four the number of patients under isolation.

    Confirming the fresh cases on Friday, the Minister of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu, said they were among secondary contact to the Liberian-American, Patrick Sawyer who imported the virus into the country.

    Lagos State  government had during the week announced the fresh cases which the Federal Government denied.

    With this development, the number of people afflicted by the virus has increased to 14, with five deaths recorded and five other patients discharged after recovering from the disease.

  • Ebola: FG approves N200m for Lagos

    Ebola: FG approves N200m for Lagos

    The Federal Government has approved the release of N200 million to the Lagos State government towards assisting the government to contain the spread of the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD).

    The Minister of the Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu , disclosed this to State House correspondents at the end of the weekly Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting on Wednesday.

    He said that the decision by President Goodluck Jonathan to assist the Lagos State government was in line with the commitment of the administration to tackle the Ebola disease and halt its further spread to other parts of the country.

    Chukwu also disclosed that the United States’ government in support of Federal Government’s efforts to check spread of Ebola virus has donated 30 body scanners.

    The scanners that will measure temperature of travellers moving in and out of the country, he said, will soon be deployed to major entry points across the country.

    He said: “Mr. President has approved the release N200 million to Lagos State government as FG’s direct support to the state government’s efforts to fight Ebola virus. Also, the US government has announced the donation of 30 body scanners for measuring temperature to be deployed to points of entry and exist in the country.”

    “As at today Nigeria has had 12 cases of Ebola which include the index case, the Liberian American, Patrick Sawyer and 11 Nigerians who were primary contacts with the one index case. Of this 12, the total number of successful cases who have been discharged stands at five but the number of deaths including the index case stands at five dead.

    “The latest death occurred Tuesday evening and that is the death of the most senior doctor, senior consultant/physician/endrocologist at First Consultant Hospital Lagos, Dr. Ameyo Adadevoh.”

    “Regrettably she lost her life to Ebola virus. Of course she contacted the disease from the Liberian-American who exported the disease to Nigeria.

    “Indeed she had to physically restrain this infected person from escaping from hospital when the later attempted to do so having been communicated that he was Ebola positive.”

     

  • ‘Why FG withheld Ebola drug approval’

    ‘Why FG withheld Ebola drug approval’

    The Minister of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu, on Monday said the Federal government withheld its approval for the Anti-Ebola drug Nano-Silver produced by a Nigerian scientist in the diaspora because it did not meet basic research requirements.

    Chukwu made this known when he received the United States Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. James Entwistle, in his office in Abuja.

    The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the drug was made available to the Emergency Operations Centre in Lagos on August 14.

    “The experimental drug, Nano Silver did not meet the requirements of the National Health Research Ethics Code.

    “Accordingly, the approval was withheld by the National Health Research Ethics Committee,” Chukwu said.

    He said the ambassador’s visit was an opportunity to share ideas and information on Ebola virus.

    “He is the spokesperson for the United States’ government here in Nigeria, and so he came to me as the Chief Public Health Officer of the country to exchange views with me,’’ NAN quoted the minister as saying during the envoy’s visit.

    Prof. Chukwu said Entwistle also visited to know if there was any new development that recently cropped up on the Ebola virus.

    Entwistle had commended the efforts of the Federal Government in curbing the spread of the Ebola virus in the country.

    He said the aim of the visit was to discuss further on the anti-Ebola cooperation between the U.S government and the Nigerian government.

    The ambassador also praised the work done at the emergency operation centre and the isolation centre, saying he understood that they were working hard.

    “You have all seen the headlines over the weekend, this is an issue that we have to keep working hard on, it may be with us for a while but there are some encouraging signs.

    “Your government is doing a good job on contact tracing; I noticed when I flew back here on Thursday night into the country, before I left the plane I filed in the questionnaire.

    “I was very impressed because I had to put in my seat number which is a very good idea, so that if you have to trace the guy who was seating next to me you will know where I am.

    “I have been very impressed by this thing so I encourage the government of Nigeria to keep at it, which I know they will,’’ he said.

    Entwistle said the two countries had a broad partnership to keep collaborating, cooperating and working hard to make the world a better place.

    He said he could not think of a more important example of cooperation than the Ebola cooperation.

  • Ebola: I didn’t mention cured doctor’s name – Minister

    Ebola: I didn’t mention cured doctor’s name – Minister

    The Minister of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu on Sunday in Abuja said he never mentioned Dr. Adadevor as the female doctor who was treated and discharged of Ebola virus as reported by some sections of the media.

    The minister’s reaction is contained in a statement issued by his Special Assistant on Media and Communication, Mr. Dan Nwomeh.

    “It has been brought to the attention of the Minister of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu, that the first Nigerian to be diagnosed of Ebola Virus Disease, a female doctor who treated the index case and who was discharged to go home yesterday, is being reported in some of the media to be one Dr. Adadevor.

    “The minister wishes to clarify that the name of the patient is not Dr. Adadevor, this should be noted,’’ the News Agency of Nigeria quoted the statement as saying on the matter.

  • Ebola: FG threatens measures against foreign media

    Ebola: FG threatens measures against foreign media

    The Federal Government on Thursday warned that it might be forced to take measures against two international media houses for bias report about Ebola in the country.

    The Minister of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu and Minister of Information, Labaran Maku, said the two media houses have been totally unfair in their report of the disease in Nigeria.

    Chukwu said, “It was also observed that a segment of international media had been totally unfair with their comments regarding to the Ebola Virus Disease in Nigeria and little have been said about the successful containment in terms of ensuring that it does not spread rapidly as it’s  done in other countries.

    “up till now the disease is limited to only one state and all those who are suffering from Ebola virus as small as the number is are all primary contacts of the index case which came through a Liberian-American.

    “Within this week prior to the meeting conveyed by the President, the country has carried out so many activities on Ebola.”

    Maku on his part said, “We have had worries from some international media whose report could cause panic at the international level. We have noticed two that have particularly refused to send the true position of things in Nigeria in-spite of all our efforts to brief the media in a transparent way.”

    He also expressed disappointment in the way the media houses in question have been portraying Nigeria case, as according to him, they are doing it as if the over one thousand victims are Nigerians.

    He wondered why Nigeria should be lumped with the three other countries, knowing fully well that the disease was imported into Nigeria.