The Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola has donated N50 million to First Consultant Medical Centre, Obalende, where the index case of the deadly Ebola Virus Disease (EVD), was reported.
This was stated in a press release by the Ministry Of Health, which was signed by the Assistant Director, Press & Public Relations, Tunbosun Ogunbanwo.
The Governor also presented N26 million to all the 13 EVD casualties and survivors in the state to enable them carry on with their lives.
The Governor, who was represented by the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Jide Idris, at a brief cheque presentation ceremony held at the Ministry of Health’s Conference Room, Alausa commended the survivors for the roles they played in the containment of EVD, adding that the gesture goes to show that the State Government had not forgotten the sacrifices made by both survivors and casualties of EVD.
He explained that each of the 13 survivors and relatives of the dead victims would get N2 million each as government support for their humanitarian service during the containment, while the First Consultant Medical Centre, who bore the brunt of the outbreak of the disease would get N50 million.
He added that the State Government would also support the facility in any way it can to bring the facility back to business.
Fashola, who described the gesture as a support to the heroes and heroines of the Ebola-Free Nigeria, noted that it was not a compensation but an act of showing compassion for a group of highly patriotic Nigerians who rescued the nation from a deadly epidemic at their own expense.
According to Fashola, the outbreak and eventual containment of the disease was a phenomenon, adding that since the outbreak of EVD till date, Nigeria had only contributed 0.22% and 0.18% to the global burden of the suspected confirmed cases and deaths respectively.
The Governor added that the State Government is addressing some issues which emanates from the containment of the deadly disease stressing that these includes the issues of stigmatization, level of preparedness for outbreak of infectious diseases, upgrade of infectious disease hospital to handle any infectious disease and delving into research to contribute to the body of knowledge for EVD.
“We cannot compensate First Consultant Medical Centre fully for their losses. We want to show our appreciation to the facility, the survivors and families of the dead victims for their sacrifices that made containment of the disease possible.
“We would do all within our powers to bring the facility back on its feet and in business and re-secure the patronage of their customers.”
He concluded that the facility has been decontaminated and have been certified by the World Health Organization to be fit to return to the business of medical services stressing that he, including officials of the State Ministry have also visited the facility.
The Chief Medical Director of First Consultant Medical Centre, Benjamin Ohaeri, thanked the Governor and the State Government for the gesture stressing that this would restore hope and enliven the atmosphere at the hospital, as well as boost the morale of the personnel.
Also present at the ceremony were the Commissioner for Information, Mr. Lateef Ibirogba; Commissioner for Special Duties, Dr. Wale Ahmed; Special Adviser to the Governor on Environment, Dr. Taofik Folami; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Dr. ‘Modele Osunkiyesi and Permanent Secretary PHC Board, Dr. Kayode Oguntimehin.
