The Kaduna State Government has activated an infectious disease hospital and intensified surveillance across health facilities as part of measures to prevent and respond to a possible Ebola outbreak.
The Director of Public Health at the state Ministry of Health, Dr Sadique Abubakar, disclosed that the government had also stepped up community sensitisation and supplied selected hospitals with essential medical commodities.
Abubakar said the state had completed a readiness assessment of its Ebola Virus Disease response to identify gaps, improve coordination and strengthen its capacity to contain any potential outbreak.
He explained that public awareness campaigns were being intensified through various channels, including radio and television programmes.
“We have also been engaging communities through our community engagement office. Our rapid response teams are active, and our public health emergency response structures are in place,” he said.
According to him, the assessment was designed to evaluate the state’s level of preparedness, identify areas requiring improvement and ensure effective coordination among relevant agencies in the event of an outbreak.
Abubakar disclosed that the government had activated its infectious disease hospital in Mando, where isolation facilities had been prepared.
He added that drugs, medical commodities and personal protective equipment had been provided, while selected secondary healthcare facilities had also received supplies to ensure a prompt response to suspected cases.
On contact tracing, the public health director said the index case had been moved out of the country, while identified contacts were being closely monitored by the relevant authorities.
He stressed that no contacts had been identified in Kaduna State, adding that the government was strengthening preparedness across all levels of the healthcare system.
