Health workers on duty
The Nigerian government has prohibited the transportation of corpses from one state to another as well as from another country to Nigeria as a strong measure to prevent the Ebola virus from spreading nationwide.
The Minister of State for Health, Kairu Alhassan, had reportedly told traditional leaders at a stakeholders meeting in Kano on polio eradication on Sunday, that government decided to make sure that all dead bodies were buried wherever they died so that the chances of transporting the problems either from within or outside would be curtailed.
Mr. Alhassan explained that there was no dispute between Nigeria and America over the issue of drugs. He said that as it was, the Americans were using what they had on their people on trial basis, and there was no way Nigeria would accept and give what was inauthentic to its citizenry.
The minister also denied that Nigerians were banned from participating in the 2014 Hajj operation by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia because of the outbreak of the Ebola virus in some West African countries. He clarified that Saudi Arabia had declared that three countries hit by the virus were banned from the Hajj, “but any speculation that Nigeria is part of that is uncalled for and has never happened”.
The minister said Ebola was imported into Nigeria by an African-American person from Liberia and that was why Nigeria was not part of the three countries talked about. Mr. Alhassan also denied rumours that the disease had spread beyond Lagos.
He said the Federal Government had so far managed to stop the spread of the disease and even in Lagos strong measures had been put in place to protect the people there. “That is why I told you that as of now, we have 135 cases at hand and we are giving them the serious attention they deserve,” he said. The Minister warned Nigerians against using salt and other variables as medicine against the Ebola virus.
He said no medical outfit had certified the use of salt and that it was harmful; hence the reported hospitalisation of some people who used it. “The public should not worry too much about the virus. They should only be wary of all the things that were highlighted to them; like washing hands, removing dirt, stop eating bush meat and other similar recommendations,” he said.
Mr. Alhassan disclosed that right now, 95 per cent of those affected by the virus were doctors, and it was clear that the problems were still within the control of the Nigerian Government. He said sufficient funds and all necessary logistics were being provided to tackle the disease.
On the Nigeria Medical Association, NMA, the Minister disclosed that government had reached an agreement with the association only for some factions to go away saying they did not recognise the agreement. “But to the best of our knowledge they have called off the strike. Whatever happens is an internal wrangling which is above the Federal Government and has nothing to do with us,” he said.
As the fear of the spread of Ebola virus sweeps across Nigeria, Catholic priests have been told to skip the traditional rite of peace during mass. The rite of peace also known as the sign of peace, involves shaking hands of fellow congregants.
According to Catholic Online, the sign of peace is intended for religious communion and mutual charity among members. In a statement released by the Catholic Archbishop of Lagos, Adewale Martins, “titled: The Outbreak of Ebola Virus, a pastoral approach, Mr. Martins said the rite is optional. “Taking into consideration the fact that this rite is optional, we shall henceforth omit it i.e. not invite people to offer the sign of peace.
When you get to this rite, skip it. Note also, that the recent Circular from the Congregation for Divine Worship and Discipline of Sacraments acknowledged this when it stated: “It is completely legitimate to affirm that it is not necessary to invite ‘mechanistically’ to exchange the sign of peace,” he said.
The Archbishop told priests to maintain the traditional hand to mouth method of administering Holy Communion until a decision is reached on the issue next week when the bishops of the province meet. He, however, advised them to be mindful and not to allow their hands touch the tongues of recipients.
Mr. Martins said Holy Water bowls usually placed at the entrance of churches should be discontinued to contain the spread of virus. Priest were also advised to maintain extra caution when making sick calls at home and hospital and they should ensure that they wash their hands with anti-bacteria hand wash and sanitizer after performing the rite of Anointing of the Sick. He also told priest to encourage those responsible for counting offerings to wear protective gloves.
