22nd August, 2014
Ayorinde Oluokun/Abuja
The Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria (MDCAN) said on Friday that the level of threat of Ebola Virus Disease to Nigeria from its neighbours in the sub region does not justify closure of the country borders and grounding of flights to other West African countries.
MDCAN also commended the Federal Government for its response to the Ebola Virus Disease that has so far claimed five lives including that of a consultant who attended to the index case, Liberian Patrick Sawyer, Dr Ameyo Stella Adadevoh.
The body which said this in a statement it released at the end of its Executive Committee held in Abuja on Friday signed by Dr. Steven Oluwole, its President, also asked government to provide better protection for the health personnel who are in the forefront of the battle against Ebola.
“That the control of Ebola Virus Disease is receiving appropriate attention by the Government; closure of Nigerian Boarders and Grounding of Flights are not justified at the moment given the level of threat and; that greater priority should be given to protection of hospital staff that are caring for Ebola Disease patients,” MDCAN said in the statement.
The body also asked communities across Nigeria to cooperate with the government in terms of location of treatment centres in any area by the Ministries of Health.