The list of these experts include the Director-General of Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR), Yaba, Prof. Innocent Ujah, who spoke on “Clinical features and management of Ebola virus disease”; Chairman, Association of General Medical Practitioners of Nigeria, Lagos branch, Dr. Jimi Arigbabuwo, who spoke on “Ebola virus disease prevention in the community: Myths and prevention and the Director of Clinical Services, LASUTH, Dr. Ayoade Adedokun, who spoke on “Coping with Ebola virus disease in the hospital.”
Others were NIMR’s Deputy Director of Research, Dr. Rosemary Audu and LASU’s senior lecturer, Dr. Bola Oyefolu. While Audu spoke on “Overview of viral Haemorrhagic Fever,” Oyefolu talked on “Overview of Ebola virus: Characteristics and transmission.”
Interestingly, they all spoke towards the same direction which is the fact that Ebola virus is not only real and incurable; Nigeria can get rid of the disease if all hands are on deck. In his welcome address, the vice-chancellor, Prof John Obafunwa who is a forensic pathology expert, explained that with the virulent nature of Ebola virus, it would be necessary for LASU to contribute its own quota in the fight against the disease hence the brainstorming forum.
He noted that the expectation was that the knowledge gained from the forum would help participants and other Nigerians by extension, in their approach to Ebola disease and other medical conditions.
While he gave kudos to both the Federal and Lagos State Governments for their prompt actions to curb the disease from spreading further since the late Liberian- American’s Patrick Sawyer brought it into the country, Obafunwa said Ebola education should be a continuous process until the country is free from the virus. Speakers on their part equally explained that what people need mostly at this crucial moment the country finds itself was to be very cautious of their health lifestyles.
They re-emphasised the need for people to practice simple personal hygiene, especially by regularly washing their hands with soap and avoid contact with infected persons and deaths as well as their body fluids, secretions, blood and other contaminated objects and environments. They explained that, although, there was still no potent medicine to cure the virus, the disease is not a death sentence to infected persons.
They noted that if persons infected with the virus could seek medical help on time and at the right places as evidences have shown, they would be able to live to tell the story. However, they advised that whoever that starts experiencing symptoms of haemorrhagic fever such as internal and external bleeding, vomiting and diarrhea, among others and any other ailments for that matter, should seek medical help immediately at the right places and not at worship centres and herbal homes
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