As Ebola outbreak in West Africa continues to grip Sierra Leone, the Lagos State Government has disclosed it was deploying some health workers who helped Nigeria contain the virus, to the country.
Speaking at a programme to commemorate the 2,700 Days of his administration in office, Governor Babatunde Fashola said the health workers having helped Lagos contain the Ebola Virus Disease, are expected to replicate the feat in the Sierra-leone.
Fashola, who said although Nigeria was now Ebola-free, the continued existence of the virus in other countries still puts the country at risk.
Fashola therefore explained that the state’s planned mission to Sierra Leone was not only to assist the country to overcome the great health challenge, but also reduce the risk of the disease to countries within the sub-region.
1,200 deaths have been recorded in Sierra Leone as at October 14.
“Lagos is free from Ebola, Nigeria is free from Ebola. But that does not mean there cannot be another case; for as long as people are moving from countries to countries ,the risk of infections is still there.
“That is why I appeal to the Federal Government to continue to scrutinise people travelling into Nigeria from land,sea and air from regions where the problem is still ravaging.
“That is why some of the things the commissioner for health will be announcing very soon is the arrangements we are making to send some of our health workers and volunteers to go and help out in Sierra Leone.
“That is the only way we, the whole of Africa and the World can be safe,” said Fashola.
About 600 volunteers have also been deployed by the Nigerian Centre for Diseases Control to join in the international effort to end the outbreak of the Ebola virus.
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