Posted on: Fri 12-05-2017

The World Health Organisation declared a fresh outbreak of the deadly and dreaded Ebola Haeorrhagic Fever in the Democratic Republic of Congo the 12^th day of May, 2017. One person has died of the disease since the new epidemic. The case fatality was confirmed out of the three suspected deaths so far, according to the Minister of Health of DR Congo.

It will be recalled that 11,000 people died of Ebola in West Africa in the 2014 – 2015 outbreak which was the worst in history. The outbreak affected mainly Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia. Nigeria had its own bite of the disease at the time but was quenched by the heroic action of a woman – Stella Adadevoh!

This sad news makes it imperative for the Nigerian government, the Minister of Health; Prof Isaac Adewole and other stakeholders to put their acts together to ensure that our country does not experience such again. All hands must be on deck. Our action should be proactive and not reactionary. We must not wait till it gets to our doorsteps. Let Nigeria act NOW! Health education and campaign against Ebola should commence in earnest. Port Health should be strengthened. Personal and environmental hygiene should be emphasized. It will be disastrous for us as a nation to wait for the butterfly effect of the new Ebola outbreak in DR Congo to get to Nigeria before we act as a nation. One bitten twice shy, Nigeria may not be lucky the second time if Ebola gets knocking on our door and met us unprepared. Stella Adadevoh saved this country the first time, but she gave her life for it. What did we do as a country to honour and immortalize her? Would healthcare workers want to stand in the gap and put their life on the line, considering the immediate past experience?

One cannot but be scared for this country with the preparedness and management of the present cerebrospinal meningitis outbreak in some part of the nation. Many have died before the government and the health agencies that ought to know could rise to the occasion. This should not happen in the case of Ebola perhaps it comes into the country. This is the time to start stocking needed personal protective equipment to fight the disease. It is also vital for our government to commence necessary engagement to make available the experimental vaccine for the disease in case Nigeria experiences an outbreak.

At a time like this, the selflessness and sacrifice of Dr. Stella Adadevoh comes to mind. She gave her life for her country. She deserves a national (posthumous) honour more than many self-serving politicians. Stella Adadevoh Support Goup – SASG, an advocacy group for the recognition and immortalization of the sterling heroine will continue to engage the government till she is accorded the deserved honour and the health of Nigerian citizens are given premium value.

 

Dele Atiba

For: facebook page/Stella Adadevoh Support Group – SASG

Enquiries: 08063264061, [email protected]

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