A disease that has no cure must be prevented. This is the approach public health professionals propose to contain such diseases as Ebola virus disease (EVD). Since the unfortunate incident of a foreigner passing through checks and terminals at the airport and successfully infecting the Nigerian public, the security of the country’s entry points has been called to question.
While it may be feasible to mobilise personnel and equipment at the airports to prevent a repeat of that ill-fated visit, the same cannot be said about the country’s porous borders through which anyone can come into the country unchecked and unhindered and possibly create another infection site anywhere along thousands of kilometres of border lines.
Recognising this fact, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) Teaching Hospital, Ogbomosho, Oyo State, has taken certain proactive measures to ensure that it would not be caught napping in the face of the Ebola threat, and thereby safeguard border towns within its jurisdiction.
Speaking in an interview with Nigerian Tribune in his office, the Chief Medical Director of LAUTECH Teaching Hospital, Ogbomosho, Professor Oladele Sijuwola, said: “As you may be aware and are familiar with this area, the borders are very porous. People smuggle cars in from Togo, Ivory Coast and other West African countries. These smugglers won’t pass through the established border routes. This is a smugglers’ route; so we have to be ready. That’s why we have been working hard to make sure that we don’t allow this virus to establish itself in this area.”
Speaking further, he said, “We try to be proactive because if we allow the virus to establish a foothold here, we are all in trouble. We will not allow it and that’s why we have put in these steps. They are not to inconvenience anyone, but to make sure that not only the staff, but the entire community is well protected. Naturally, people are afraid of this epidemic, but if you act in time that is when you can prevent it. As you all know, it has no cure, so the answer is still prevention.
“We have installed a lot of gadgets around the hospital. We are even expecting more. We have purchased personal protective equipment (PPE) to make sure staff are well protected. We have purchased infra red thermometers which we use at the entrances for people coming in; and we are establishing an isolation unit across the road, because there is no way you can bring in a confirmed case into this place and not stand a risk of infection spreading.
“Other equipment included automatic hand dryers. We will continue to train our staff. We have a dedicated ambulance in case we have any incidence.”
The CMD noted that the hospital’s primary healthcare centres at Kontangua, Jabata and Kajola that reach out to the community were fully involved in the Ebola prevention and control programme.
“We have three primary healthcare centres communities. We have the same equipment and the same routine going on there,” Professor Sijuwola pointed out.
The hospital set up an Ebola Action Committee, chaired by Professor of Epidemiology, Bayo Parakoyi, and assisted by Head of Community Medicine, Dr Adenike Olugbenga-Bello. The committee is saddled with the responsibility of fashioning out procedures to prevent and handle any Ebola case.
Head, Community Medicine of the hospital, Dr Adenike Olugbenga-Bello, stated that the hospital management had put necessary measures in place to contain any suspected case of Ebola. She stated that the hospital, through its primary health centres in Katangua, Kajola and Jabata, was addressing all other forms of ill health in neighbouring communities.
She said the hospital would not rest on its oars regarding the provision of qualitative healthcare for its community and safety for health workers.
According to the secretary of the committee, Mr Tayo Ogunleye, the procedure involved screening of staff and visitors coming in at any time into the hospital through any of the entrances. Points for hand washing were also set up at various locations within the hospital premises.
There was also a response team created by the committee to handle the procedures was said to be comprised of doctors, nurses and other medical personnel.
“Should a suspected case of Ebola infection arise, the individual would not be allowed to enter the gates, but will be escorted to a temporary observation and isolation room. If confirmed, the patient will be transported using the dedicated ambulance to the Isolation Centre at University College Hospital Ibadan,” Ogunleye explained.
This procedure is until the Isolation Unit in Ogbomosho being constructed opposite the teaching hospital is completed, according to information given.
Speaking further, Professor Sijuwola added that much was being done to expand community health thrusts, as well as upgrade facilities at the hospital.
“We have three community health centres that are very active. We are looking for partnership at the secondary care level. Take hospitals like Adeoyo Hospital in Ibadan, there is no reason why can’t have a presence there; send doctors there to provide services and students to have experience there, and improve on the level of care.
“We are looking forward to make the Oyo annex operational. We are also planning to start out a dental unit in the near future,” the CMD said.
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