Medical personnel particularly those involved in emergency cases have been called upon to adopt all precautionary measures in the prevention, containment and management of the Ebola Virus Disease.
The Delta State commissioner for Health, Dr Joseph Otumara, made the call at a training held for ambulance service personnel in the State on Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in Asaba.
Dr Otumara represented by the functioning Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Dr Michael Omatsola, said that there was no need for panic over the issue of the, Ebola Virus Disease but that all hand must be on ground to combat it.
He said that the training was packaged to equip participants with relevant information on the causes, treatment and how to avoid spreading the disease, as well as respond to suspected cases of the EVD.
Describing the trainees as strategic personnel in the conveyance of confirmed and suspected cases, the Commissioner urged them to be proactive at all times and consider their life saving role as imperative in overcoming EVD challenge.
A resource person and Director in the Ministry of Health, Dr Gloria Patrick-Ferife, who spoke on Decontamination, enjoined the participants and other healthcare givers to observe strictly every standard measure in handling their gloves, gown, apron, masks, respirator, goggles, face shield and other medical equipment used in conveying patients in an ambulance.
In explaining the measurements for preparing disinfectants, she emphasized that they should be used before and after the evacuation of any confirmed or suspected case of the EVD.
In a lecture on the overview of the Ebola Virus Disease, Dr Ojodume Okuguni, said that even though there was no known cure for the disease, emergency personnel should be professional in the handling of cases rather than exhibit panic and apprehension.
Another resource person and State Chief Epidemiologist, Dr Charles Ofili educated the participants on the protocols for wearing and removing personal protective equipments (PPE), emphasizing that wrong applications of the PPE could expose one to the Ebola Virus when handling a confirmed case.
The workshop featured practical demonstration on the gowning of personal protective equipment (PPE), decontamination exercises of personnel, equipment and the environment by participants, as well as questions and answers sessions.
