I have to admit, the response to this Ebola threat by both the Federal and
the (Lagos) state governments has been mostly impeccable. Information
dissemination is impressive and potential cases of Ebola attack have been
handled with sense. Even government officials that usually make stupid
statements have been sensible, or at least quiet. Private firms have also been
involved in massive sensitization of employees. I called a client last week and
the guys didn't pick, only to call back several hours later to say they were in
a sensitization training on Ebola. Of course, there have been the inevitable instances of fake cure suggested by Nigerians, from the unproven bitter kola to the grossly laughable salt bath.
However, the government needs to do more in terms of providing the required
tools/equipment to prevent and control the spread or treatment of the disease.
We need to start insisting that our research institutes live up to their callings rather than being salary disbursement centres. We also need to do a lot of work on border screening and this is not just at
the airports - our land borders are more porous to import of communicable
diseases.
Overall, we need to be more sensitive as a people to our environment. Ebola
has killed 3 victims but in the past month, cholera has killed hundreds of
people in the North and we haven't done much about it. Our government has to do
a lot in this area. It may be another perfect opportunity for us to have another look at the healthcare industry as a whole. But I suppose that is a matter for another day.
For now though, we need to defeat Ebola. So far, the government has given me hope that it can lead a successful war against it.
