The Nigerian Medical Association, Federal Capital Territory branch (NMA-FCT), has urged residents to remain calm and vigilant following reports of an Ebola case in Abuja.
The Chairman of NMA-FCT, Dr George Ebong, made the call in a statement jointly signed by the association’s Secretary, Dr Arome Adejo, and Public Relations Officer, Dr Simon Ogenyi.
The statement, made available to newsmen in Abuja on Wednesday, commended the government for its proactive response and continued adherence to guidance from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) and FCT health authorities.
It urged doctors and the general public to remain calm, vigilant and rely only on verified information from official public health sources.
According to the statement, the safety of healthcare workers and the public remains the association’s utmost priority.
The NMA-FCT advised healthcare workers and health facilities to strictly observe standard Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) measures, including proper hand hygiene and appropriate use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
It urged health facilities to ensure adequate supplies of PPE and provide training on correct donning, doffing and disposal procedures.
The association also advised healthcare workers to maintain a high index of suspicion for symptoms compatible with Ebola Virus Disease and relevant epidemiological history, and promptly isolate and report suspected cases in line with established protocols.
“No healthcare worker should undertake high-risk procedures or attend to suspected cases without adequate PPE, training, and safety measures.
“All public and private healthcare facilities in the FCT should strengthen emergency preparedness, ensure availability of IPC supplies, and establish clear pathways for safe referral,” the statement said.
The association urged members of the public to practise basic hygiene and appealed to the media to avoid sensationalism and the spread of unverified information that could cause panic and stigmatisation.
It particularly cautioned against disclosing patient-identifying details, urging responsible reporting that protects privacy while ensuring accurate public health information reached residents.
The NMA-FCT called on relevant government authorities and hospital managements to urgently provide risk assessments, operational guidelines, adequate PPE and necessary support for frontline healthcare workers.
“No healthcare worker should face preventable occupational risk.
“Members experiencing PPE shortages, unsafe working conditions, or occupational exposure should immediately notify their facility IPC focal persons and relevant public health authorities. They may escalate such concerns to NMA-FCT for advocacy and intervention,” it stated.
The statement said the association would continue to monitor the situation through official channels and engage relevant authorities to protect its members and the public.
It commended healthcare workers in the FCT for their continued dedication and professionalism.
