By Gambo Abubakar Kaduna
The National President of the Medical Women’s Association of Nigeria, Dr. Zainab Muhammad Idris Kwaru, has called on the government and Nigerians to intensify preventive measures against the spread of Ebola virus disease following reports of a case in Abuja, the nation’s capital.
Dr. Kwaru made the call in an interview with newsmen’s in Kaduna, amid concerns over the possible spread of the deadly virus to other parts of the country.
She urged the public to maintain good hygiene, avoid contact with the body fluids of infected persons and report suspected cases promptly to health authorities.
Dr. Kwaru, who is also a senior lecturer in the Department of Community Medicine at Kaduna State University, said effective surveillance, public awareness and early detection were essential to preventing further transmission.
She advised Nigerians to watch out for symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, general body weakness, vomiting and diarrhoea, and to seek medical attention if they experienced such symptoms.
The association president, however, urged the public not to panic but to remain vigilant and follow health guidelines issued by the relevant authorities.
She explained that Ebola spreads mainly through direct contact with the blood and other body fluids of an infected person or contaminated materials, rather than through the air.
Dr. Kwaru called on health workers to observe strict infection prevention and control measures when attending to suspected cases.
She also stressed the need for cooperation and timely information sharing among the Federal Capital Territory, Kaduna State and other states to strengthen surveillance and prevent the virus from spreading.
On public enlightenment, she said the media, government agencies and professional health organisations had important roles to play in educating Nigerians about the symptoms, transmission and prevention of the disease.
Dr. Kwaru further advised organisers of political campaigns and other public gatherings to maintain good hygiene and observe appropriate precautions to protect participants.
She urged women to take the lead in promoting handwashing, personal hygiene and environmental sanitation in their homes and communities, while emphasising that men should also share responsibility for maintaining a clean environment.
The former Kaduna state Medical Women’s Association, said collective efforts by the government, health workers and the public would be essential to preventing further transmission and protecting lives.
