…Increases Awareness Campaign
The Enugu State Government has intensified surveillance at international entry points and expanded public sensitization initiatives as part of measures to prevent the entry and spread of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) from Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
This was disclosed by the Commissioner for Health, Prof. George Ugwu, following a meeting of the Enugu State Public Health Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) focused on Ebola preparedness and response.
The meeting brought together key health stakeholders, development partners, and senior officials of the Port Health Quarantine Service stationed at Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, to review the state’s readiness and strengthen preventive measures.
According to Prof Ugwu, additional surveillance personnel have been assigned to support existing port health officers responsible for screening and monitoring travellers arriving through the international airport.
He added that the Ministry of Health would sustain collaboration with airport management and relevant agencies to ensure strict adherence to all approved Ebola prevention and control protocols.
He said, “All we want to achieve is to ensure all international travellers observe due Ebola prevention protocols and due contact addresses collected, while no one should evade laid down entry protocol.
“We are leaving no stone unturned as the state would also ensure necessary steps are taken to protect residents.
“The state government, ably led by our proactive Governor, His Excellency Dr Peter Mbah, has placed priority on protecting the health of Ndi Enugu.”
The commissioner further revealed that the state had intensified its public health communication strategy to improve awareness of Ebola prevention measures and encourage compliance with hygiene and safety guidelines.
As part of the awareness drive, the ministry has engaged religious leaders, traditional rulers, and community representatives, equipping them with information and educational materials to share within their respective communities.
Prof Ugwu also disclosed that digital awareness materials are being developed and circulated through various social media channels to reach a wider audience across the state.
The commissioner said that the ministry is also producing electronic flyers on Ebola awareness and prevention and had started distributing same through various social media platforms, adding that “we will aggressively expand on this measure.’’
He noted that the government has continued to educate residents through media campaigns highlighting preventive actions and official health advisories.
“We have kept our people abreast of government actions on Ebola awareness and prevention protocol through widespread publications on the mainstream media.
“We are pushing it higher by major jingles in both English and Igbo languages to be placed on radio and television stations in the state.
“We want the Ebola awareness and prevention protocol message to be a household matter, where individuals in communities will be well informed, watchful and report any observed possible symptoms even among their relatives or returnees from Uganda/DRC.”
