•Tasks FG, states on proactive measures, warns against complacency, misinformation

By GARBA MUHAMMAD

The EduMedia Climate Reform on Health Initiative (e-MICH) has called on the Federal and State Governments to intensify disease surveillance, strengthen emergency preparedness and scale up public awareness to protect Nigerians against the threat of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD).

The Kaduna-based civil society organisation warned that complacency, misinformation and delayed reporting of suspected infections could undermine efforts to prevent an outbreak and put lives at risk.

In a statement issued on Thursday in Kaduna, its founder, Garba Muhammad, said the call followed a public health advisory attributed to the Federal Ministry of Environment, highlighting the need for personal hygiene, environmental sanitation and preventive measures against Ebola.

Muhammad stressed that reports suggesting a confirmed Ebola case in Nigeria required official verification by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), urging Nigerians to remain vigilant without spreading fear or unverified information.

"We cannot afford to wait until lives are threatened before taking public health warnings seriously. Every family deserves protection, every community deserves reliable health information, and every suspected case deserves prompt medical attention," he said.

He urged the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, NCDC, Federal Ministry of Environment and relevant state agencies to strengthen disease surveillance, equip healthcare facilities, protect frontline health workers and establish effective community reporting and referral systems.

According to him, public health advisories must be backed by practical interventions reaching households, markets, schools, motor parks and rural communities.

"Public health information must reach beyond government offices and social media platforms. It must reach the mother in a rural community, the trader in a busy market and the commercial driver at a motor park.

"Awareness becomes meaningful only when people understand the risks, recognise warning signs and know where to seek help," Muhammad stated.

The e-MICH Founder identified regular handwashing, safe food handling, avoidance of contact with potentially infected bodily fluids and animals, and early reporting of suspected cases as critical preventive measures.

He particularly cautioned against handling sick or dead wildlife and coming into direct contact with the blood, vomit or other bodily fluids of persons suspected of having Ebola.

Muhammad also urged traditional rulers, religious leaders, teachers, market associations, youth groups and community volunteers to intensify grassroots mobilisation and public enlightenment.

He stressed that healthcare facilities must strengthen infection prevention and control protocols, while governments should improve laboratory capacity, emergency response coordination and frontline health personnel protection.

The organisation further called for special attention to women, children, older persons, Persons with Disabilities and rural populations who often face barriers to accessing healthcare services and reliable public health information.

Muhammad advocated stronger collaboration among human health professionals, veterinary services, environmental health authorities and community organisations under the One Health approach.

He warned against stigmatising suspected patients, noting that fear and discrimination could discourage early reporting and access to medical care.

"When someone becomes ill, our responsibility is to help them access safe medical care, not to spread rumours or subject them to discrimination. Compassion, vigilance and accurate information are essential to an effective public health response," he said.

The organisation advised anyone experiencing symptoms consistent with Ebola, particularly after possible exposure to an infected person or animal, to immediately contact appropriate health authorities or the NCDC toll-free line, 6232.

Muhammad maintained that preventing infectious diseases required sustained investment in public health systems rather than reactive interventions during emergencies.

"The strength of a nation's public health system is measured not only by the hospitals it builds, but also by its ability to protect people before they become patients.

"We must invest in prevention, strengthen community trust and ensure that no Nigerian is left without lifesaving information," he added.

He reaffirmed e-MICH's commitment to public health education, environmental protection, evidence-based communication and community mobilisation.

"Ebola prevention is not the responsibility of government alone. It is a duty we share as parents, neighbours, healthcare workers, journalists, community leaders and citizens.

"We must act before an outbreak, not after lives have been lost. Let every home become a centre of awareness, every community a partner in disease surveillance and every Nigerian a champion of prevention," Muhammad declared.