EBOLA: Obiano orders 400 PPE for Anambra health workers

ONITSHA—Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra State has ordered the state Ministry of Health to acquire at least 400 Personal Protective Equipment, PPE, to prevent health workers in the state from contacting the deadly Ebola virus.

Commissioner for Health, Dr. Josephat Akabuike, who disclosed this in his office in Awka, said although no case of Ebola virus had been recorded in the state, the ministry had investigated the alarm being raised in some parts of the state about the virus and discovered that it was only a case of gastroenteritis that recently hit some rural communities in the state.

Akabuike emphasised that at the moment, no fewer than 120 suspected cases of gastroenteritis, with five deaths, had so far been reported at Omor and Ifite Ogwari in Anyamelum local government area of the state.

He added adding that the state government had instituted a rapid response team, saddled with the responsibility of  responding to emergencies.

Flanked by the Director of Public Health and Disease Control, Dr. Chukwudi Okoye and the Epideologist, Dr. Emma Okafor, Akabuike further disclosed that the state had concluded plans to train physicians on how to manage persons with suspected cases of Ebola virus.

“In Anambra State, we have epidemiologists that monitor the environment and we are planning to purchase mobile ambulances and clinics to move them to areas of emphasis to enable us respond timely in case of  emergencies.

“We are also doing public enlightenment through the media, communities and churches to keep people at alert,” he said.

Akabuike, who is a veteran gynaecologist, identified Ebola virus symptoms to include malaria, persistent diarrhea (gastroenteritis) and fever, weakness, waist pain and bleeding from nose, ears and eyes, adding that the virus could also be contacted through sexual intercourse.

He said:  “Ebola virus disease is incurable but symptomatic treatment can be given to an Ebola patient to rehabilitate the person and that is why Anambra State government has moved to acquire 400 personal protective equipment for health workers to protect them from contracting it.”

- Vanguard

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