FG launches surveillance vehicles to cushion fight against Ebola Virus Disease

ABUJA (Federal Ministry of Health Report) – The Nigerian Government has intensified its efforts to combat the life threatening Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) and other diseases as well as emergency responses by acquiring about 30 Hilux pick up operation vehicles.

While addressing Journalists on Monday November 10, 2014 in Abuja at the launching of the surveillance and operation vehicles for Ebola Virus, other diseases and emergency responses, the Supervising Minister of Health and Minister of State for Health, Khaliru Alhassan (Dr) assured that the Government will continue to invest in disease surveillance, preparedness and response to ensure that Nigeria’s ports of entry are secured.

He explained that the launching of the vehicles aims at supporting surveillance and emergency preparedness and response activities; adding that the vehicles will be stationed at Nigeria’s key ports of entry and some will be utilised for linkage between operating centres and surveillance offices within and across States. The Minister noted that the Nigerian Government will remain committed to supporting the State Governments towards establishing isolation centres as well as equip them with some of the materials required for response to outbreaks like that of the EVD.

Khaliru Alhassan assured that the Government is poised to strengthen some reference laboratories over the six geographical regions to facilitate diagnosis of diseases. He also  noted that EVD outbreak has reinforced the need to strengthen infection prevention and research in the country. Adding, State Governments should continue to strengthen their surveillance and disease outbreak preparedness and responses to ensure that the Ebola Virus Disease does not resurface.

In his remarks at the occasion, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Health, Linus Awute said that the launching of the operation vehicles was  borne out of the Federal Government’s determination to provide logistics to the Ebola  Virus Disease containment.  He indicated that Government is not relenting in its efforts to make sure that EVD does not resurface in Nigeria.