- Says 2014 Hajj not under threat
The Minister State of Health, Dr. Kabiru Alhassan, told a Traditional Leaders Stakeholders meeting in Kano on Polio Eradication that the Federal Government had also set up isolation centres across the 36 states and Abuja.
He noted that government decided to make sure that all corpses should be buried in the area of death so that the chances of transmitting Ebola into and across the country would be curtailed.
Alhassan explained that there was no dispute between Nigeria and the United States over the Federal Government’s request for doses of an experimental drug, Zmapp.
He noted that the drug was being used in the U.S on a trial basis and there was no way that the Nigerian government could apply an untested drug to its citizens.
The minister also denied insinuations that Nigerian Muslims had been barred from participating in the 2014 Hajj by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia because of Ebola.
He noted that Nigeria was not one of the three West African countries barred from this year’s Hajj, especially since the disease did not originate from the country.
Alhassan gave the assurance that the Federal Government had so far been able to curtail the spread of the disease to other parts of the country, noting that even in Lagos where it was detected in a foreigner and some Nigerians, adequate measures had been put in place to protect the people.
“That is why I told you that as of now, we have 135 cases at hand and we are giving the issue serious attention.
“The citizens should not too much disturbed about the virus. They should only be wary of all the things that have been highlighted like washing hands, removing dirt, stop eating bush meat and other similar things,” he stated.
The minister warned Nigerians against using salt and other unverified items as preventative measures against Ebola.
On the strike by the Nigerian Medical Association, the minister said government was puzzled that after an agreement had been reached with leaders of the group, a faction said it was not recognised.
He said, “But to best of our knowledge, they have called off the strike. Whatever happens is an internal wrangling which is beyond the Federal Government and has nothing to do with us.
“The Federal Government for its part has tried its best on the NMA issue and if someone is bringing sentiments into it, then we have no hand in that. It is beyond us. They should go and settle themselves.”
On polio eradication, the minister commended the Northern monarchs for their efforts, noting that as at last year, Nigeria had 53 cases. He noted that these cases had reduced to only four.
Kano State deputy Governor, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje; about 13 emirs and other traditional title holders were present at the meeting.
Meanwhile, the Executive Secretary of the Plateau State Pilgrims Welfare Board, Alhaji Salisu Musa, has said that the state government will be left with no other option than to return intending pilgrims Hajj dfees if Nigeria is barred from the 2014 exercise over Ebola.
Musa, who made the declaration at a press conference, said the 1226 pilgrims were scheduled to perform the exercise this year.
He said although no case of the disease had been discovered in the state, “our team of doctors is also doing up and doing to ensure that our intending pilgrims are Ebola-free.”
According to him, the state’s slots were cut by 20 per cent by the National Hajj Commission. Musa explained that the board had refunded money to some intending pilgrims who would be unable to make the 2014 Hajj due to some reasons.
He said the board had already secured a befitting accommodation for the intending pilgrims, saying what is now left is for them to complete their fares.
“Intending pilgrims have either made deposits of N500, 000 to N600,000 and the hajj commission has made it known that this year’s fares is N722,000,” he added. Musa disclosed that airlift of pilgrims will commence in September.
According to the ES, medical officers in the board have been doing their best to ensure Ebola free intending pilgrims
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