Bayelsa Govt Sensitizes People on Dangers of Ebola Virus

The Bayelsa State Executive Council has taken proactive measures to sensitize the people on the dangers of the dreadful Ebola virus following the recent outbreak of the virus in the country.

The decision was one of the major resolutions reached at the 42nd State Executive Council meeting presided over by Governor Seriake Dickson in Government House, Yenagoa.

Briefing newsmen at the end of the meeting, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Ayibatonye Owei said, government has advised people against travelling to countries such as Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone, where the disease is endemic.

According to Dr. Owei, 1,094 cases have been reported in those countries out of which 660 people have reportedly died.
To this end, the Executive Council has given approval for a massive advocacy campaign in partnership with the World Health Organization.
Highlighting the symptoms of the disease to include fever, general body weakness, cough, catarrh and bleeding through the nose and other parts of the body, he said health officials would be trained on how to detect symptoms of the disease and how to manage it.
Describing the disease as highly contagious and incurable, he noted that the virus could be contracted through contacts with infected persons, animal products and dead bodies.
Consequently, Dr. Owei advised the people of the State to observe simple hygiene rules, such as regular washing of the hands to avoid transmission of any kind of disease.
Also in his remarks, the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Deacon Markson Fefegha said, council adopted the 2015 to 2017 mid term expenditure framework, which has been presented to the House of Assembly.
He also noted that, council deliberated on the need for commissioners and their permanent secretaries to work harmoniously towards the implementation of the government’s policies and programmes as well as the imperative to strengthen the civil service through training.
Deacon Fefegha said, the apex decision making body in the State also resolved to provide housing for permanent secretaries and directors as well as low cost housing for other categories of civil servants.
Also briefing mediamen, the Head of Service, Sir Frazier Okuoru said, areas of friction between commissioners and permanent secretaries was being addressed with a decision to organize a retreat for permanent secretaries.
In his contribution, the permanent secretary in the Ministry of Local Government Administration, Evangelist Ayibatonye Agba said, council directed permanent secretaries and their immediate subordinates to supervise the clock in-Clock out system to instill discipline in the service.