By Joyce Ekeh
The Medical and Dental Consultants’ Association of Nigeria (MDCAN) has raised the alarm over the risk of an Ebola outbreak, demanding urgent provision of personal protective equipment (PPE), functional isolation centres and essential medical supplies in hospitals across the country.
The association warned that Nigeria’s large population, high human mobility and fragile healthcare system could complicate efforts to contain the confirmed case of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) unless governments at all levels urgently strengthen surveillance, hospital preparedness and infection prevention measures.
In a press statement issued by its Publicity Secretary, Dr Taiwo Alatishe, on behalf of its President, Prof. Apollos Chidi Ndukuba, MDCAN urged the Federal Government to draw on lessons from Nigeria’s successful containment of the 2014 Ebola outbreak to prevent further transmission.
The association said it had repeatedly warned about the risk of importing the virus following renewed outbreaks in other African countries.
“Our current reality is that a case of Ebola Virus Disease has been diagnosed in the country and efforts are being made to contain it by the Federal Government,” MDCAN stated.
Describing Ebola as a deadly viral disease with a reported case-fatality rate of between 25 and 90 per cent, depending on the outbreak and other factors, the doctors stressed that Nigeria must not underestimate the threat.
“Given Nigeria’s huge population, high mobility and fragile health system, everyone has a role to play and concerted and deliberate efforts must be made to contain this,” the association warned.
Hospitals must be ready
MDCAN called for the immediate activation of emergency operations centres, port health services and infectious disease isolation facilities nationwide, alongside intensified surveillance, contact tracing, laboratory testing and cross-border collaboration at airports, seaports and land borders.
It urged the Federal and state governments to ensure that all tertiary hospitals and state-owned health facilities had adequate running water, PPE, diagnostic materials, holding bays, hand sanitisers and other essential consumables.
The association also demanded the training and retraining of frontline health workers in infection prevention and control, warning that poorly equipped hospitals could expose medical personnel, patients and the wider public to infection.
“A motivated health workforce is critical if this battle must be won,” MDCAN said, urging governments to prioritise healthcare workers’ welfare, hazard allowances and insurance coverage.
It further called on hospital managements to enforce universal precautions and ensure that doctors, nurses and other health personnel had the resources needed to manage suspected cases safely.
Do not treat suspected cases in open wards
The association urged medical and dental consultants to maintain a high index of suspicion when attending to patients presenting with fever, severe headache, vomiting, diarrhoea, unexplained bleeding or a history of possible exposure to the virus.
It directed consultants to reactivate hospital infection prevention and control committees, organise emergency drills and simulations, and ensure that suspected cases were promptly identified and referred through established protocols.
MDCAN warned that no healthcare worker should attend to a suspected Ebola patient without adequate protective equipment.
“Prompt notification and reporting of suspected cases to State Epidemiologists and NCDC in line with IDSR guidelines is integral to containment,” the association stated.
It added emphatically: “Do not manage suspected cases in open wards.”
The doctors also urged healthcare facilities to provide appropriate isolation areas and strengthen coordination with state epidemiologists and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC).
Nigerians warned against hiding symptoms
MDCAN called on Nigerians to avoid contact with the blood and other body fluids of symptomatic persons, practise regular handwashing with soap and water, and avoid bushmeat as part of its recommended precautions.
It warned against concealing symptoms or keeping sick relatives at home without seeking medical attention, stressing that early reporting was essential to identifying possible infections and preventing further transmission.
“Do not hide symptoms or sick relatives at home. Report immediately to the nearest health facility,” the association advised.
It also urged members of the public to cooperate with contact-tracing teams and follow guidance from recognised health authorities, including the NCDC, the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, and the World Health Organisation.
The association cautioned against relying on unverified social media reports, warning that misinformation could fuel panic, undermine public confidence and obstruct containment efforts.
Stigma could worsen outbreak
MDCAN expressed concern over the stigmatisation of Ebola patients, their families, healthcare workers and hospitals involved in treating suspected or confirmed cases.
It warned that discrimination could discourage people from seeking medical attention or disclosing possible exposure, thereby making contact tracing more difficult.
The association urged Nigerians to support affected persons, respect medical confidentiality and cooperate with public health authorities throughout the response.
“Early presentation saves lives — with early supportive care, survival is possible,” it said.
MDCAN expressed confidence in the Federal Government, the health ministers, the NCDC and other collaborating agencies to lead the national response, while insisting that effective containment would depend on adequate funding, properly equipped hospitals, protected healthcare workers and public cooperation.
Reaffirming its readiness to work with government and other stakeholders, the association said Nigeria could overcome the latest threat by applying the lessons learnt from its previous experience.
“We have been here before and by the special grace of the Almighty, we shall be victorious once again,” MDCAN declared.
