The Kaduna State Government has intensified preventive measures against Ebola Virus Disease, including strengthening health facility preparedness and public awareness to prevent an outbreak in the state.
The Director of Public Health in the state Ministry of Health, Dr Sadique Abubakar, disclosed this in an interview with PUNCH Online on Wednesday, following a meeting to review the Ebola situation and identify necessary preventive actions.
Abubakar said the government was strengthening the readiness of health facilities while intensifying public sensitisation on Ebola prevention and the need for strict infection prevention and control measures.
He said, “We have already identified the necessary actions that we will continue to take. Part of them is strengthening facility readiness and awareness.”
The director explained that community sensitisation was a major component of the state’s strategy, adding that the government was developing messages to educate residents on the disease and how to prevent its spread.
“We are currently developing messages to distribute across various media platforms. We will also engage the media in sensitising the community through radio, television and other channels,” he said.
Abubakar added that the state government was planning awareness campaigns at key entry points, including motor parks and railway stations, to ensure that travellers and other members of the public received relevant information about Ebola.
He said the measures were part of broader strategies being put in place to ensure the state was prepared to respond to any potential public health emergency.
According to him, the Ministry of Health will also issue a public health advisory to provide residents with information and guidance on the necessary precautions against the disease.
“Usually, when we have issues of public health concern, we release public health advisories,” he said.
Abubakar assured that the government would continue to review its preparedness measures and provide further updates on additional strategies as they were developed.
He urged residents to pay attention to official public health information and observe recommended preventive measures as the state strengthens its preparedness against a possible Ebola outbreak.