The Medical and Dental Consultants’ Association of Nigeria (MDCAN) has urged the Federal and state governments to urgently strengthen Ebola surveillance, equip hospitals with protective materials and isolation facilities, and improve the welfare of healthcare workers to prevent a wider outbreak in the country.
The association, in a press statement, warned that Nigeria’s large population, high human mobility and fragile healthcare system made a coordinated, nationwide response imperative following the confirmation of an Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) case in the country.
MDCAN urged the government to draw lessons from Nigeria’s successful containment of the 2014 Ebola outbreak, stressing that early detection, effective contact tracing, adequate infection prevention measures and public cooperation would be critical to defeating the disease again.
The statement, signed by its Publicity Secretary, Dr. Taiwo Alatishe, on behalf of the association’s President, Prof. Apollos Chidi Ndukuba, said MDCAN had repeatedly warned about the risk of Ebola being imported into Nigeria following renewed outbreaks in other African countries.
“Our current reality is that a case of Ebola Virus Disease has been diagnosed in the country and efforts are being made to contain it by the Federal Government,” the association stated.
It described Ebola as a deadly viral disease with a reported case-fatality rate of between 25 and 90 per cent, depending on the outbreak and other factors, but maintained that Nigeria had the expertise and experience required to contain the infection.
“However, given Nigeria’s huge population, high mobility and fragile health system, everyone has a role to play and concerted and deliberate efforts must be made to contain this,” MDCAN said.
The association expressed confidence in the Federal Government, the health ministers, the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, and collaborating agencies, particularly the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, NCDC, to lead the national response.
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MDCAN called for the immediate activation of emergency operations centres, port health services and infectious disease isolation facilities across the country.
It urged authorities to intensify surveillance, contact tracing and laboratory diagnosis, while strengthening cross-border collaboration at airports, seaports and land borders.
The association also demanded the training and retraining of frontline health workers in modern infection prevention and control procedures.
It said federal tertiary hospitals and state-owned health facilities must be provided with adequate running water, personal protective equipment, diagnostic materials, holding bays and other essential consumables.
“A motivated health workforce is critical if this battle must be won,” the association said, urging governments to prioritise healthcare workers’ welfare, hazard allowances and insurance coverage.
It warned that inadequate protective equipment could expose doctors, nurses and other health personnel to infection, potentially undermining efforts to contain the outbreak.
MDCAN also called on hospital managements to ensure the availability of hand sanitisers and infrared thermometers, alongside strict enforcement of universal infection prevention precautions.
The association specifically urged medical and dental consultants to maintain a high index of suspicion when assessing patients presenting with fever, severe headache, vomiting, diarrhoea, unexplained bleeding or a relevant history of contact with suspected cases.
It advised doctors not to attend to suspected Ebola patients without adequate personal protective equipment and called for the immediate reactivation of hospital infection prevention and control committees and isolation areas.
MDCAN further urged consultants to organise emergency training sessions, drills and case simulations for resident doctors, nurses and other healthcare personnel.
“Prompt notification and reporting of suspected cases to State Epidemiologists and NCDC in line with IDSR guidelines is integral to containment,” the association said.
It added emphatically: “Do not manage suspected cases in open wards.”
The association said protecting healthcare workers, other patients and the general public must remain a priority in every hospital responding to the outbreak.
MDCAN called on Nigerians to avoid contact with the blood and body fluids of symptomatic persons, practise regular handwashing with soap and avoid bushmeat as part of its recommended precautions.
It warned against concealing symptoms or keeping sick relatives at home without seeking medical assistance, urging members of the public to report suspected cases promptly to appropriate health authorities.
“Do not hide symptoms or sick relatives at home. Report immediately to the nearest health facility,” it stated.
The association also cautioned against misinformation on social media, urging Nigerians to obtain updates from recognised authorities, including the NCDC, the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, and the World Health Organisation (WHO).
It said inaccurate information could complicate the response, trigger unnecessary panic and discourage people from complying with public health directives.
The doctors’ association expressed concern over the stigmatisation of Ebola patients, their families, healthcare workers and facilities involved in treating infected persons.
It warned that discrimination could discourage people from seeking early medical attention or disclosing possible exposure, thereby increasing the risk of further transmission.
MDCAN urged Nigerians to cooperate with health officials conducting contact tracing and other containment activities.
“Early presentation saves lives, with early supportive care, survival is possible,” the association said.
It maintained that a combination of government leadership, adequately equipped hospitals, protected healthcare workers, accurate public information and community cooperation would be crucial to containing the outbreak.
Reaffirming its commitment to working with the government and the Nigerian public, MDCAN expressed optimism that the country could overcome the latest threat by applying lessons learnt from its previous experience.
“We have been here before and by the special grace of the Almighty, we shall be victorious once again,” the association declared.
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