Ebola: Kaduna State government intensifies surveillance across health facilities
The Kaduna State Government has activated an infectious disease hospital as part of enhanced measures to prevent a potential outbreak of Ebola. Surveillance across health facilities has been intensified to bolster response efforts.
Dr. Sadique Abubakar, the Director of Public Health in the state Ministry of Health, reported that the government has ramped up community awareness initiatives and equipped selected hospitals with essential medical supplies. He emphasized that a readiness assessment had been completed to evaluate the state’s capacity to manage an outbreak effectively and to pinpoint areas needing improvement.
“We have been increasing public awareness through various media outlets, including radio and television,” Abubakar stated. “Our community engagement office is actively involving residents, with rapid response teams and public health emergency response structures in place.”
The assessment aimed to gauge the state’s preparedness for the Ebola Virus Disease and to enhance coordination among health agencies. Abubakar noted that the infectious disease hospital in Mando is now operational, featuring isolation facilities and stocked with drugs, medical supplies, and personal protective equipment. Selected secondary healthcare facilities have also received necessary supplies to enable prompt responses to any suspected cases.
Regarding contact tracing, Abubakar explained that the index case had been moved out of the country, and while identified contacts are being monitored, no contacts have been declared in Kaduna State. The government continues to strengthen preparedness at all levels within the healthcare system.
