Nigerian Volunteers from different health professions numbering up to 591 have offered themselves to join the international force in Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea to assist in the containment of Ebola Virus disease in these countries.

 

Health Minister, Professor Onyebuchi Chukwu who gave the hint on wednesday after the weekly Federal Executive Council meeting noted that he had already disclosed the arrangement by Nigeria to send health volunteers to the three countries at a separate meeting on Ebola which was attended by World leaders at the United Nations General Assembly held in New York.

 

He added, however, that before the volunteers are allowed to leave, certain conditions would have to be met including the approval of the the President.

 

Chukar said, “I also inform them that as part of Nigeria’s contributions to the international team that will be set up to tackle Ebola Virus disease in those countries.

 

“Already Nigeria volunteers from different Heath professions have been registering with us, willing to join the international force that will go to Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea to help out with the containment and as of now 591 Nigerians have already registered with us in three registers we opened in Lagos, Abuja Port Harcourt.”

 

He further hinted that Nigeria is awaiting the arrival of three mobile laboratories which the Federal Ministry of Heath ordered as part of the measures to contain the virus which would be used in other parts of the country.

 

He disclosed that the country was also working on getting installed capacity in three centres to begin to diagnose Ebola Virus disease including University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano and University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu.

 

Noting that the ban on repatriation of corpses as well as inter-state transportation of corpses was still in force except where approval had been granted by his office, Chukwu said FEC also noted the commendation given to Nigeria by New York Times on the containment and control of the Ebola Virus disease in the country.

 

By George Agba

Leadership News