Commissioner Inaugurates Emergency Ebola Response Team

In a bid to curb the spread of
the deadly Ebola Virus, the Rivers State Ministry of Health has inaugurated an Emergency Ebola Response Team in Akinima, headquarters of  Ahoada West Local Government Area.
The inauguration was in keeping with the State Government’s plan to establish such a team in the twenty three local government areas in the state.
In his inaugural speech, the Rivers State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Sampson T. Parker urged the 25-member team to help the government realize her dream of containing the unwanted spread of the Ebola disease.
Dr Parker said new cases of Ebola should immediately be rushed to the Centre for Intensive Disease Control, recently established at Oduoha in Emohua Local Government Area.
He pointed out that free special ambulance service, care and treatment of Ebola had been provided by the State Government.
The Health Commissioner urged members of the committee to be at alert and support the surveillance group, stressing that every suspicious death should be reported to the emergency team.
The member of the AWELGA response team include the LGA Chairman, Supervisor of Health, Medical Officer of Health, Social Mobilisation Officers, religious leaders and Ward representatives.
An exhaustive lecture on the Ebola Virus covered the 21day Incubation period, symptoms of primary and secondary stages, modes of transmission and precautionary measures including personal hygiene and environmental sanitation.
The lecture which was illustrated by the use of slides and projector was delivered by Dr. Rowland Obed-Whyte, Dr. M. Igwe and Dr. S. Nria.
The sensitisation  meeting was organised to enable community members be informed about Ebola and also mobilise and inform grassroot people on the dangers of the disease and the steps being taken by the government to contain the disease.

ThankGod A. Echikwa