Ebola: UNICEF Lauds RSG’s Call For Vigilance

The United Nations Children Emergency Fund (UNICEF) has given kudos to the Rivers State Government for the way and manner it has tackled the spread of the deadly Ebola virus in the state, and its call on the people of the state and residents for more vigilance.
It, however, said that the call for more vigilance by all stakeholders was critical in order to totally eradicate the disease.
Country Representative of UNICEF, Jean Gough, who gave the commendation shortly after a visit to Governor Chibuike Amaechi on Friday in Government House, Port Harcourt, expressed happiness over the proactive measures adopted by the state government.
She said, despite the sudden outbreak of the Ebola virus disease in Rivers State, the state Governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi took bold steps in finding preventive measures to track, trace and control the spread to other parts of the state.
According to her, “The UNICEF team visited the state to know the progress and efforts of the government in the fight against the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD). And from our observation and findings, we are impressed and wish to appreciate the Rivers State Governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi and the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Sampson Parker, on the steps taken so far. We sincerely appreciate what the state is doing in this direction”.
UNICEF also appreciated the different roles played by the World Health Organization (WHO), Doctors Without Borders, and other technical partners, who in spite of the daunting challenges, ensured collective action against the Ebola virus disease in the state.
“I think, it is a good thing to congratulate the WHO, Doctors Without Borders, the Federal Government and other technical partners who built the collective action to intensify the fight against the Ebola virus disease in the state”, Gough noted.
The UNICEF representative equally enjoined the Rivers State Government, the technical partners and other volunteer groups to remain vigilant and focus on the fight against the Ebola scourge until it is completely eliminated.
Gough also tasked the media to be objective and fair in the dissemination of relevant information relating to the Ebola virus disease, adding that, wrong and disastrous information could lead to civil disturbances and uproar in the state.
According to her, “This is why the government, technical partners and other volunteer groups have to be very vigilant. This is the reason why information regarding the spread and infection has to be contained and controlled. You are aware that as the people in the media, and as reporters, you are obliged to be objective and fair in reporting your information, and not to raise alarm. The UNICEF has the voice of the children and we are speaking for our children”.