Ebola nurse flees Lagos for Enugu

EBOLA VIRUS : PRESIDENT GOODLUCK JONATHAN (R), DEMONSTRATING WITH HAND SANITISER DURING A MEETING WITH STATE GOVERNORS AND THEIR COMMISSIONERS FOR HEALTH IN ABUJA, ON WEDNESDAY (13/8/14). WITH HIM ARE: MINISTER OF HEALTH, PROF. ONYEBUCHI CHUKWU (M) AND MINISTER OF STATE FOR HEALTH, KHALIRU ALHASSAN

One of the primary contacts of the late American-Liberian, Patrick Sawyer, who escaped quarantine on suspicion of having the dreaded Ebola Virus Disease, EVD, in Lagos, has been tracked to Enugu.
The suspect, identified as a nurse, said to have travelled to her home town to visit her family, is now under surveillance with 20 others she came into contact with in the city.
With the development, the total number of Nigerians under monitoring for the dreaded virus is now 198.
Revealing these facts yesterday after the Federal Executive Council meeting in Abuja, Information Minister, Labaran Maku, explained that Nigeria currently has 10 confirmed cases of Ebola, all stemming from the visit of the late Sawyer.
Maku explained that of the 198 persons under surveillance, 177 of them are in Lagos while 21 are in Enugu.
He said: “All those who had primary contact have been quarantined. Secondary contacts have also been traced. So far, the number of people that have been traced is 198.
“Of this number, 177 are in Lagos and are being traced. Some are in quarantine, some are being monitored by health specialists.”
Meanwhile, the death toll world wide from the outbreak stands at 1,069 and total number of infections 1,975, according to the World Health Organisation.
Liberia was hit extremely hard this week, with 71 cases and 32 deaths from Sunday to Monday. Fifty-six deaths and 128 new cases were reported in that same period across all four West African countries affected by the virus.
21 Ebola suspects in Enugu under watch
Giving details on the escapee, Maku revealed that she travelled to Enugu from Lagos against instruction not to leave Lagos State.
He said: “The 21 persons in Enugu under watch now is as a result of their involvement with the nurse who disobeyed medical instructions and somehow travelled to Enugu. All those who she was in contact with, including her husband, are under quarantine. The medical team has been able to trace all those who made contact with her.”
While warning that government would prosecute anybody found spreading false rumours or unverified reports over the Ebola epidemic, Maku said government was expanding presence of health officers to strategic entry points in the country.
“Health workers are now in all our border units. At all the entry points into this country and exit points, we have port health workers that are working in our airports and seaports.
“We are calling on citizens, specifically, to co-operate. If health workers say you have had contact with A, B, C, don’t move to anywhere, respect that judgment. It is very important. In one or two cases where we have had disobedience, we lost one of them and this one now moved with it to another place (Enugu).
“So we are urging Nigerians, please to help us in making sure that all these messages and appeals we are making, we implement them.”
He noted that the Ministry of Health had set up a special committee specifically to take claims from Nigerians who believe they could help and so far “we have had a lot of reports from Nigerians at home and abroad who come forward to say they have possibility of developing therapies that could help in fighting the virus.
“There is no cure so far, anywhere in the world. Even the trial drug in the US is still a trial drug; it has not been established.
“One of the doctors and research experts that came forward was Dr. Simon Agwale, who has been one of the frontline global researchers on developing vaccines for HIV and other viral diseases.
“He also came forward and said he could help, both in terms of working to develop a vaccine, which he said he has started work on between himself and his fellow experts in the US and he said this is ongoing.”
Maku stated that the Minister of Health had given support and directed him to the committee. He also discussed the possibility of certain therapy which could be applied and again that is being discussed. Once it is approved, it could be used.”
Escapee nurse, husband arrested, returned to Lagos
There was anxiety among residents of Enugu, yesterday following reports that 21 persons have been quarantined in the city for having direct contact with a suspected Ebola patient who escaped from Lagos.
Officials of Enugu State Government claimed ignorance of the development but there were fears that the government might be keeping the information secret to prevent panic among residents.
The telephone line of the state Commissioner for Health, Dr. George Eze, remained switched off yesterday while another commissioner who was contacted said he was not aware of anybody being quarantined in Enugu.
But a medical consultant with the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, UNTH, Enugu, told Vanguard that some officials of the National Centre for Disease Control, NCDC, in Lagos were in Enugu last week to pick the suspected female Ebola victim who escaped from a quarantine centre in Lagos.
The woman and her husband were picked up from their residence at Trans-Ekulu and were immediately taken to Lagos where they have been kept under surveillance.
The consultant said about 21 people believed to have had direct contact were being quarantined for close monitoring by officials of the state Ministry of Health, but he was not aware of the hospital.
FG deploys mobile lab in Enugu, others
The Federal Government is to deploy a mobile laboratory to Enugu as well as establish laboratories with capacities to diagnose Ebola Virus disease in Jos and Kano State within the next few days.
Addressing State House correspondents after a meeting between President Jonathan, governors of the 36 states of the federation and their health commissioners, Minister of Health, Professor Onyebuchi Chukwu said the measures were meant to increase the capacity for early detection of possible infection and early action.
According to the minister, laboratories that can test for Ebola Virus Disease in the country include the Centre for Disease Control laboratories in the Lagos University Teaching Hospital and Abuja, and Redeemer’s University laboratory in Ogun State.
He explained that as at yesterday, Nigeria has had 10 confirmed cases of Ebola and they are all those who had contacts with the Liberian.
His words: “There are no cases of secondary contacts. We have had three deaths. The Liberian, the nurse who attended to the Liberian and a protocol official who worked with Ecowas. Seven are alive and are making progress.”
Chukwu said waivers had been granted to two corpses to be brought back to the country; one from Kenya and another from India because the cause of death was not from Ebola virus.
In his remarks, Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State said there was a collaborative effort between the tiers of government and called for cooperation as “government alone will not be able to solve this problem.
“We are working with the Federal Government. We are also working with private hospitals.
“This is not something you should keep in religious houses. It is important to come out to disclose any case. There should be no pretension about it.”
Sawyer, a terrorist — Presidency
Meanwhile, the Presidency has tagged Sawyer a terrorist for importing the virus into Nigeria.
Senior Special Assistant to President Goodluck Jonathan on Youths and Students , Mr Jude Imagwe said this in Abuja during the dinner lecture and awards nights organised by Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Youth Vanguard to honour prominent members of the party in the country.
He said Sawyer’s misguided action had brought pains and hardship upon Nigerians who have been going about their daily duties. He said such a man deserved to rot in hell.
He said: “Patrick Sawyer has brought pain and hardship to Nigerians. So many things have now changed because he brought this upon us. Even in churches, we are not free anymore.
“The woman who wanted to assist the terrorist from Liberia is dead now. This is bad. This virus is not an infection for the rich or the poor. It can affect anybody. We need to be careful.”
Speaking on the Federal Government’s efforts at minimising the spread of the virus, the SSA said: “One of the surest means of prevention is constant washing of your hand by soap. Everyone of us must not say that because this virus is in Lagos, we should then neglect taking care of ourselves.
“Mr President has taken the initiative to close down primary schools. This shows that our President means well for Nigerians. The Lagos State Government has also done a good job. As Nigerians, we need to assist government in assisting these people.”
The presidential aide equally spoke on the plight of handicapped youths in the country, promising that the government will never abandon them in their time of need.
He said: “One assurance I want to give to our brothers is that Nigerian youths who are handicapped are not alone. We know that they suffer some degree of isolation and rejection. We
are with them and we will never abandon them. My heart bleeds over things that are happening in our happening. Enough is enough. An attack on any part of the country is an attack on all Nigerians. Our people in the North cannot sleep anymore. This has to stop. The earlier we realise that it is not a Northern war or Borno war, the better for us. We must avoid use of unguided utterances. These things cannot help us. We need to change the way we do things.”
FG okays use of trial drug
The National Health Research Ethics Committee of Nigeria has approved the use of an experimental Ebola drug, Zmapp, for treatment of patients infected with the virus. The committee, which comprises research scientists, is a national body under the Federal Ministry of Health. The endorsement is contained in a statement made available to journalists and signed by Dr. Clement Adebamowo, chairman of the committee. “It is ethical to use these treatments in the current situation without first submitting an application to National, State or Institutional Health Research Ethics Committee for prior review and approval. In addition, the committee waives the current requirement that international shipment of any biological samples out of Nigeria should be preceded by the establishment of a Materials Transfer Agreement. This waiver is to promote rapid international response to this global emergency,” the statement said.
In the statement, the Nigerian National Code for Health Research Ethics emphasised that all innovative and non-validated treatments should be carefully and adequately documented. It said the documentation can form the basis for clinical trials of the efficacy and side effects of the treatment according to established scientific principles. It added that the ethics committee enjoins all agencies, development partners and research scientists to follow the guidelines for rapid resolution of the current emergency.
“The guideline will contribute to preparedness in case of future occurrences and contribution to scientific knowledge. It must be noted that all Phase O and Phase I Clinical Trials that may subsequently be designed for treatment of this infection can be approved only by the National Health Research Ethics Committee,” it said.The decision by the committee is coming on the heels of Tuesday’s approval by the World Health Organisation, WHO, on the use of experimental drug, ZMapp, for treatment of Ebola patients.
Governors avoid handshakes, adopt knuckles greeting
Governors and health commissioners from the 36 states of the Federation who converged in Abuja for an emergency meeting with President Goodluck Jonathan to discuss possible ways of containing the spread of the dreaded Ebola virus, avoided handshakes, opting to greet one another with knuckles.
Why Patrick Sawyer travelled to Nigeria – Wife
Meanwhile, widow of late Patrick Sawyer, Decontee, has said her deceased husband travelled to Nigeria in a desperate search for possible cure. Disclosing this in an article published in the TMZ Liberia magazine, she explained that Sawyer had no trust in the healthcare system in Liberia and had possibly headed to Nigeria with the hope of receiving better treatment for his ailment. Her thoughts shared on her Facebook profile from which TMZ Liberia sourced it for publication, is reproduced below:
“I’ve read other reports in other papers (not the New York Times) about Patrick’s “recklessness.” I get where they’re coming from, and they certainly have the right to feel the way they do. However, as Patrick’s widow, I would like to shed some light on this from another perspective. One that only I, his wife, would know. I knew Patrick better than anybody else (including himself). He had told me many times in the past how much he didn’t trust the Liberian healthcare system. He would tell me about how a person would get checked in for one thing, and get misdiagnosed and get the wrong treatment as a result. On top of that, Patrick was a clean freak, and told me how filthy a lot of the hospitals were.
“He didn’t tell me this, but I know in my heart of hearts that Patrick was determined to get to Nigeria by all means because he felt that Nigeria would be a place of refuge. He has expressed to me many times in the past that he felt passionately about helping to be a part of strengthening Liberia’s healthcare system, but he knew it wasn’t there yet, and he wouldn’t want to take a chance with his life because a lot of people depended on him… Patrick had a passion for life, and he wouldn’t have wanted his to end. So, I bet anything that he was thinking, if I could only get to Nigeria, more developed country than Liberia, I would be able to get some help. How ironic.”
Scare at Lagos hospital over suspected patients
In a related development, activities at the Orile-Agege General Hospital, Agege Local Government, Lagos were disrupted for hours, yesterday, when a patient suspected to have contracted the Ebola Virus Disease was taken to the hospital. Health officials in the hospital absconded as the patient, who was brought into the hospital in the early hours of the day, was seen bleeding from some parts of his body. Our correspondent gathered that patients in the hospital scampered for safety leaving the hospital deserted.
Sources said that the reason for their action was to avoid contacting the deadly virus.  A health official, who craved anonymity, said that such a case was reported at the hospital on Tuesday, in a case suspected to be Ebola. Vanguard learnt that authorities of the Orile-Agege General Hospital called the Ifako-Ijaiye General Hospital that they have a patient to refer to it as they did not have the wherewithal to handle the case. It was learnt that the Ifako-Ijaiye General Hospital declined and called the State Ministry of Health which ordered that nobody should touch the patient as government was coming to pick him up.
Officials of the Lagos State Government, our correspondent learnt, picked up the patient and the man who brought him to the hospital and took them away to be tested if the case was actually an Ebola one. Efforts to get the state Commissioner for Health, Dr. Jide Idris, to confirm the story proved abortive as he was said to have gone to Abuja with the state governor, Babatunde Fashola, to meet with President Goodluck Jonathan.

Ebola, LASU fees: Fashola seeks adjustment of budget

Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State has requested for the adjustment of the budget to meet services from citizens, which are “sufficiently compelling and cannot wait until 2015”.
Ebola-Fashola1
The letter from the governor requesting for the adjustment, titled; ‘Year 2014 Budget Re-ordering of priorities’ was read at plenary of the Lagos State House of Assembly, yesterday, by Clerk of the House, Mr. Ganiyu Abiru.
The re-ordering, according to the governor, “is to take care of emerging issues like the reversal of Lagos State University, LASU, school fees policy which requires us to make provisions to cover LASU shortfall in projected revenues in order to service the school; the unanticipated but very urgent need to address the threat of the Ebola Virus Epidemic, EVD, and also a need for counterpart funding request that enables us to access developmental funds to install solar power panels in 172 public schools and 11 primary health centres in the first phase”.
The governor stressed that the re-ordering would not affect the original 2014 budget size of N489.69 billion as, “we have discovered that there are still unutilized provisions by some Ministries, Departments and Agencies, MDAs, which may remain so till year end. Hence we are proposing to move such provisions to where they are more urgently needed to enable the state government address pressing needs in the areas identified above and other areas like security, housing among others.”
The re-ordering, Fashola noted was proposed from Capital Expenditure Provisions of 10 agencies with a total value of N9.960 billion.
The governor said the re-ordering was also to urgently address some of the critical unbudgeted expenditure requests by various MDAs. “We have received request aggregating to the sum of N79.302billion but will clearly be unable to accommodate most of these requests this year.”.
After debating the request, the lawmakers committed it to the House Committee on Economic Planning and Budget and expected to report back to the House today, because of the urgency of the issues involved.
Fashola hands over houses to senior citizens
Meanwhile, Governor Fashola yesterday, handed over keys of houses under the Lagos Homes Ownership Mortgage Scheme, Lagos HOMS, to 16 persons, former occupants of Shogunro Housing Estate, Ogba-Ijaiye, Ikeja, years after their defective houses were demolished.
The state government demolished the Shogunro Housing Estate, in 2008 to avoid collapse on its occupants, after they were relocated to another community.
Fashola who handed over the keys at the 6th public draw of the Lagos HOMS in Ikeja, said while other occupants of the estate declined the government plan for the regeneration of the estate, “this 16 senior citizens kept fate with the government. The buildings were structurally unsafe and we asked them to move out. While some refused to leave, this people decided to deal with us and we promised those who chose to deal with us that they will get their houses back.”
“After five successful draw I want to now announce a new dimension to the Lagos home policy. I want to share with you the regeneration and the compassionate side of the Lagos HOMS and the inclusion that seems to carry everybody along. This morning, 16 senior citizens have benefited from 16 homes part of the Lagos homes in the Shogunro scheme in Ogba. Many of you may not know the history behind Shogunro housing scheme but it was developed around 1970 as a result of the reclamation and development going on around Marina and the people were moved to Ogba, of course industrialization came, flooding came and the houses that they were moved to was no longer habitable and in 2009 a building collapsed there and we asked them to move out there. But some of them refused to leave, and one by one the building began to fall apart and those who said they would not leave flee for their life.
“But we have rebuilt the place and because we promised that if we rebuild it we will give back the homes to those who promised to deal with us. Most of you are also aware that the houses there are in some state of disrepair some has sank and the environment require a makeover.
“But our regeneration has come into full scheme in our initiative in Isale gangan in helping to direct our regeneration experience under Lagos Homes. So, today, we have moved out 30 families in Adeniji Adele out of these families all we offer opportunity to take back a place when we finish, out of those families 13 have said that we should pay them off and each has received a sum of N1.3million, plus N250,000 relocation fund.

Why I want to be next governor of Rivers – Julius Agwu

The success story of comedy in Nigeria cannot be complete without the mention of great comedians like Julius Agwu.The Choba-born comedian, actor and musician has joined pantheon of intending gubernatorial aspirants warming up to take the reins of power from Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State. In this chat with Potpourri, the diminutive entertainer talks about his political intent, his career and other things. Excerpts:
_Julius-AgwuIt is been quite a while; what’s been happening?
I am working on a lot of projects at the moment; I am still organising comedy shows. l am currently working on something for my music. I have a band called ‘Reel Laif Band’ and we are performing at the Encomium black and white ball holding this Sunday.
The news is going round that you are working at becoming the governor of your state. What is your take on this?
Yes, I am working on that project too at the moment.
 Would you call yourself a politician?
I cannot really call myself a politician, but l am someone who prays and wish for things to get better than it is in this country. I believe I can help to achieve what my brother started in Rivers State. It is a known truth that Port Harcourt was the Garden City of this great country, but we lost that glory because of poverty and neglect, coupled with incessant militancy and kidnapping. Governor Amaechi has done well for the State, but we still need good hands after he leaves to continue the good work.
 If you are not a politician then why do you want to be the governor of Rivers State?
Becoming the governor of Rivers State was not something that came up overnight. It was not on my radar back then. The people of Rivers State in the Diaspora and those in the State have been clamouring for me to come out as an aspirant. They believe I have what it takes to go for it. It just dawned on me that I indeed have what it takes. I have given it a serious thought and have given in to their pressure.
 These people who have been bothering you, would they sponsor your election, if yes, who are they?
Yes, they will. But I do not want to disclose their names for security reasons.
 Will you use a political party at the end of the day?
Yes, we shall, eventually, but I do not want to unveil that now.
 In your future party, do you think an aspirant from your party will be going for the presidency?
Yes, when the time comes it will be revealed.
 How is the comedy business these days?
Comedy business is going well. You know it’s one of the biggest businesses in Nigeria now as it helps to relax our tensed nerves. People who laugh a lot tend to live longer. Comedy is so important that even people outside the shores of Nigeria know about it before us. Obasanjo was someone who practiced it while he was in power.
 What else do you have up your sleeve?
I have a studio and I also own a construction company.

Mass failure as WAEC releases May/June exam results

….Introduces ICT-driven device to checkmate exam mal-practice

The West Africa Examination Council, WAEC has released its May/June 2014 West African Senior School Certificate Examination, WASSCE, results, recording mass failure in Mathematics and English Language.
Announcing the results, yesterday, at WAEC office, Yaba, the Head of National Office, WAEC, Mr. Charles Eguridu said: “A total of 529,425 candidates, representing 31.28 per cent, obtained credits in five subjects and above, including English Language and Mathematics.”
He noted that when compared to the 2012 and 2013 May/June WASSCE results, there was marginal decline in the performance of candidates as 38.81 per cent was recorded in 2012 and 36.57 per cent in 2013.
Eguridu, who disclosed that the results of 145,795 candidates, representing 8.61 per cent, are being withheld in connection with various types of examination malpractice said: “The cases are being investigated and the reports of the investigations will be presented in November to the Nigeria Examinations Committee, NEC.
”According to him, out of 1,692,435 candidates that sat for the examination, 791,227 candidates, representing 46.75 per cent, obtained six credits and above, just as a total of 982,472 candidates representing 58.05 per cent, obtained five credits and above.
In addition, he stated that 1,148,262 candidates, representing 67.84  per cent, obtained credits and above in four subjects, while 1,293,389 candidates, representing 76.42 per cent, obtained credits and above in three subjects.
He said out of the 161 visually-handicapped candidates, who registered for the examination, 21 of them, representing 14 per cent obtained credits in five subjects, including English language, adding, “blind candidates do not take mathematics and science practicals in the WASSCE.”
In his analysis, he said: “A total of 1,705,976 candidates registered for the examination, out of which 1,692,435 candidates, consisting of 929,075 male and 763,360 female candidates sat for  the examination.
“Of the total number of candidates that sat for the examination, 1,605,613 candidates, representing 94.87 per cent have their results fully released, while 86,822 candidates, representing 5.13 per cent have a few of their subjects still being processed due to some errors, mainly traceable to laxity on the part of the candidates and the schools, in the course of registration or writing the examination.
“Such errors are being corrected by the Council to enable the affected candidates get their results fully processed and released as soon as they are ready.
”Meanwhile, to curb examination malpractice, WAEC has announced the introduction of ICT-driven device which will enable supervisors and staff of the Council on duty to address and record in real time the processes on the day of the examination.
The HNO said: “With effect from the May/June 2014 WASSCE, the Council introduced a device known as Candidates Identity Verification, Attendance, Malpractice and Post Examinations Management System, CIVAMPEMS.
“This ICT-driven device enables supervisors and staff of the Council on duty, to address and record in real time the processes on the day of the examination.
“These include identity verification, capturing and recording occurrences as they happen, such as candidates’ attendance and examination malpractice and transmit same to our data base.
“With this, the Council is able to generate valid examination reports for each examination centre.”
He noted that the Council, beginning with the November/December 2014 WASSCE, will introduce customised, transparent mathematical sets, with in-built non-programmable scientific calculators, which conform with the rules and regulations of its examinations.
He urged all prospective candidates, for both the May/June and November/December WASSCE diets to note that, henceforth, bringing in any other non-approved mathematical set or calculator into examination halls would not be allowed.
“Models of the WAEC-customised mathematical set would be made available to schools to assist them in preparing their candidates for the Council”s examinations,” he said.
He also said that “the Council, with effect from 2014 WASSCE, is introducing biometric enabled certificates.
Each certificate will have a QR code with details of the candidate’s biometrics.”

Sawyer was mad to bring Ebola here – Jonathan

President Goodluck Jonathan, yesterday, described the late American-Liberian, Patrick Sawyer’s visit that heralded the entry of the dreaded Ebola Virus Disease, EVD, into the country, as “pure madness.”
This came as the Federal Government appealed to Nigerians not to panic and adhere to the highest possible personal hygiene measures and safety guidelines issued by the Federal Ministry of Health.
Meanwhile, fears that more Nigerians may fall victim of the Ebola virus heightened, yesterday, as the Federal Government confirmed the 10th case of the disease after the death of the index case (the first case), bringing the total number of cases to 10.
The President, who spoke publicly for the first time since the outbreak of the disease in the country, expressed disappointment with the way and manner the late Sawyer brought Ebola to Nigeria.
Late Sawyer, whose arrival in Lagos on July 20, 2014, and eventual death five days later in a private hospital, sparked off the dreaded Ebola Virus saga in the country, was a consultant to the Liberian government.
He was said to be under surveillance in Liberia for a suspected case of the Ebola Virus Disease, but evaded authorities in Monrovia and tragically boarded a plane for Lagos in Nigeria, via Lome in Togo and Accra in Ghana.
His intention, according to reports was to connect to Calabar in Nigeria to attend a two-day retreat organized by the ECOWAS Commission, and later the same week to Atlanta, Georgia in the USA to celebrate his daughter’s birthday.
Speaking at the Annual Interfaith Conference in Abuja, President Jonathan, however, assured citizens that the Federal Government was ready to stop the spread of the Ebola virus.
Mad man and his Ebola
“It is unfortunate that one mad man brought Ebola to us, but we have to contain it. As a government, we promise that we will do everything humanly possible to contain the Ebola virus.”
Further, the President hinted that the Federal Government had planned to rally the 36 state governors and their health commissioners to rescue the nation from further spread of the disease.
Continuing he said: “On Wednesday, I will meet with governors of the states, and they must come with their commissioners for health. We must make sure that every state is prepared. Where they lack, the Federal Government will support them.”
He assured that his discussion with the head of the World Health Organisation, WHO, had given him more information about the virus, assuring the gathering that the virus will be stopped from causing more harm.
“My conversation with the WHO D-G, Dr Margaret Chan was revealing. She said 60 per cent of the transmission was spread during burials. That is why in my announcement; I’ve been saying that people should be careful about burials.
“Some people like burial ceremonies. This is not the time for burial ceremony, somebody is dead, he is dead, leave him there. This is not the best time for those ceremonies.
“If he is dead, he is already dead, Sawyer that brought this Ebola to Nigeria; his sister died of Ebola, and he started acting somehow, his country asked him not to leave the country, let them observe him, but the crazy man decided to leave and found his way here.”
10 Ebola case in Lagos
Earlier, the Federal Government confirmed another Ebola case in Lagos, bringing the total number of Ebola Virus Disease victims to 10, even as it was disclosed that the number of primary and secondary contacts of the index case placed under surveillance or isolation, had risen to 177, from 139 announced Friday last week.
Giving update of the Ebola situation in the country, Minister of Health, Professor Onyebuchi Chukwu  told  a world media briefing in Abuja,  that  of the 10 cases,  two have died (the Liberian American and the Nigerian nurse) while  eight are alive and currently on treatment. “This is the situation 22 days since the dreaded EVD first landed in Nigeria,” he declared.
Chukwu said all the 10 infected were people who had direct contact with late Patrick Sawyer, noting  that at the sub-regional level, the Ebola Virus Disease was discussed as a substantive agenda during the Summit of the Authority of Heads of State and Government on July 9, 2014 in Accra, Ghana.
US$3.5m donation to Ebola Fund
Citing efforts to stop the spread of the virus in the West African sub-region, the Minister remarked that Nigeria, as usual, played its leading, pioneering and compassionate role during the summit with the first and only donation of US$3.5 million humanitarian and capacity building aid to the three affected countries of Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone, the West African Health Organisation, WAHO, and the ECOWAS Ebola Fund.
The minister, who briefed the press along other ministers — Environment, Mrs. Laurentia Mallam; Interior, Mr. Abba Moro; Special Duties, Mr. Tanimu Turaki and Information, Mr. Labaran Maku said: “Nigeria wishes to emphasise that it essentially remained an Ebola Virus-free country until this incidence of importation and unfortunate contamination. We will continue to work with all stakeholders, local and international partners to maximize on this and intensify efforts to contain and treat the existing cases.”
Chukwu further stated that the “Liberian Government has expressed its deepest sympathies and regrets that Mr. Sawyer had even embarked on this tragic journey, which has brought needless sufferings, death and has placed an unnecessary stress on our health system.  In the same spirit, we share in solidarity, the grief of the governments and people of Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone as we confront this challenge together.”
Don’t see Liberia in bad light
He urged Nigerians not to see Liberia and her citizens in bad light considering the harmonious relationship the two countries have had over the years.
“The government of Nigeria shall continue to discharge its responsibilities within the sub-region as we collectively confront and stop this outbreak of Ebola.”
Chukwu however, told journalists that aside from working with the US government on how to assist, government was also looking at other options in terms of drugs that could revive Ebola patients.
He said Nigeria’s quest to get hold of drugs that will bring relief to Ebola patients is “still work-in-progress” adding that, healthcare workers entrusted with providing care to patients have been given Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) as measure to prevent them from contracting the virus.
NMA strike not affecting national response
Chukwu, who stated that the Ebola virus still remained restricted to Lagos State, also reiterated the resolve of the Federal Government to find a solution to the lingering crisis between it and the Nigerian Medical Association, NMA, especially the need to call off the nationwide strike.
He expressed optimism that the crisis would be settled soon, but maintained that “the NMA strike is not affecting the treatment of Ebola patients.”
New trauma centre launched in Abuja
At the formal commissioning of a world-class Trauma Centre at the National Hospital in Abuja, government assured the populace about the provision of incentives that would motivate existing local health manpower and also encourage Nigerian health experts based abroad to return.
Vice President, Namadi Sambo, who represented the President, said the Centre would bring quality healthcare closer to more Nigerians and also reduce the depletion of scarce foreign exchange due to medical tourism.
“We are modernising medical diagnostics and upgrading several tertiary healthcare facilities to meet the standards existing in those countries where Nigerians seek foreign medical treatment. We have also progressively improved health care financing and priority interventions.”
The centre, first of its kind in the country, is expected to provide the highest level of trauma management for severely injured patients in a timely and cost effective manner, and has been appropriately equipped with modern facilities.
Lamenting that Ebola outbreak which has claimed several lives in some West Africans countries including two deaths in Nigeria, the Vice President re-echoed that government was pained that the emergence of the disease in Nigeria was due to migratory transmission.
“It is important that we avoid panic and take the highest possible care in hygiene and contact and by adhering to guidelines issued by the Ministry of Health.
“We have put measures and facilities in place for detection and management and are working in concert with the international community to stem its spread. We must remain at high alert.”
In his remarks, the Minister of Health said the Centre has capacity and capability to handle all trauma cases including burns, fires, accidents, terrorism or injuries from any other man-made disaster.
He noted that the centre was constructed out of the clear need as there has been an increase in the number of cases of people sustaining physical trauma in a variety of ways and the frequency in which mass casualties occur. The Trauma Centre will also be a training ground for paramedics in the country.
He disclosed that the National Hospital is one of the 12 hospitals that have been commissioned for feasibility study for Public Private Partnership (PPP) model.
It could be recalled that within the initial 48 hours of the death of the first Nigerian from EVD, President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan approved the National Ebola Virus Disease Emergency Containment Plan with immediate cash backing of N1.9 billion which is about 12Million USD to further complement the containment efforts already in place.
“The Federal Government, through the Federal Ministry of Health and its agencies, works very closely with the World Health Organisation, WHO, UNICEF, the US Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, CDC, local authorities and other international partners to further deepen and broaden these containment efforts. We shall single out the WHO and the CDC for special commendation for their understanding and continuous support in this challenging moment; particularly for the partnership and most importantly for the capacity building of our Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, NCDC,” he remarked
Fashola meets royal  fathers, LG bosses, others
In a related development, Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State has disclosed that five of the 10 Nigerians infected with Ebola Virus Disease, EVD, admitted at the isolation ward at Mainland Hospital, Yaba, are currently responding to treatment and in stable condition.
Fashola who took time out of the usual weekly state   Executive Meeting Council, had interactive sessions with traditional rulers, religious leaders, council chairmen and health workers on the EVD, with the Oba of Lagos, HRH Rilwanu Akiolu in attendance.
Fashola said that the disease is not a death sentence, provided the right medical treatment is applied on the patients who have contacted the virus, saying “we have had cases of patients who survived the virus in other countries.”
“The idea of cure is not there and the idea of bitter kola is unverified. Bathing with salt is also unverified. As today, we have recorded two death cases: the Liberian and the nurse. We now have 10 persons in isolation that are receiving treatment. Eight of them have been confirmed positive to Ebola Virus Disease. We are still waiting for the result of the remaining two persons.
“The mortality rate is reducing from 90 percent at the moment. All of them (patients) are stable, which means that they are not deteriorating. Five of them have really improved. This means they are fighting back. It confirms that Ebola is not automatic death sentence if we do the right thing at the right time. We should talk to our people. “The work is yet to finish; we are tracking more of those who had contact with the late Liberian, Mr. Patrick Sawyer,” he added.
Regular administration
Fashola noted that experience have shown that the human body could fight back through constant hydration, intravenous infusion and regular administration of antibiotics.
Disclosing plans to establish another isolation centre in Ikorodu, Fashola urged chairmen of the 20 Local Governments and 37 Local Council Development Areas, to  provide safety kits for health workers at the Primary Health Care, PHC centres in their councils. “If we want them to work, we must show concern for their welfare. This is because if we have nine persons and one escaped, we are still at risk until we find the tenth one. So, there is no 99 percent in the case of Ebola. Everyone who had contacts with the virus must be contained and checked. Some may be slightly ill. Some may be moderately ill. Some may be seriously ill; we have to deal with them according to their state of health.
“It may take two weeks, it may take four weeks, it may take two months, it may take eight months. If we can find all the contacts, we are in control. Now, it is a question of treatment and survival of those who we have been isolated. If you look at what we have now, only one case has resulted in the infection of 10 persons.
LAWMA cautions on waste handling
In a related development, the Lagos State Waste Management Authority, LAWMA, has urged residents in the state to shun the idea of patronising cart-pushers, often identified as potential vectors in the spread of communicable diseases.
Speaking during a sensitization workshop on prevention of Ebola Virus Disease, EVD, and other communicable diseases, Managing Director, LAWMA, Mr. Ola Oresanya, cautioned about the extent of exposure and vulnerability of workers to disease carrying vectors. He expressed the need to continue the protection of the workforce by strict compliance to the use of Personal Protection Equipment, PPE, complemented by adequate sensitization among staff and clients.
Oresanya, therefore, advised service providers to be alert and to always protect themselves and their employees against the spread of the deadly scourge by adopting the right safety measures, such as thorough hand-washing and used of gloves, face masks and other items of safety kits, in the execution of their duties.
He warned that the management would not hesitate to sanction any service provider who neglects to ensure that staff and workers under their supervision comply fully with the directive on the use of safety kits, while on duty.
Oresanya, urged the citizens to give their waste only to designated Public Sector Participants, PSP, in their areas, and also called on operators of beauty salons to consider their waste as medical waste which is highly contagious.
“Such waste should be stored in safety boxes being given freely by Lagos State Government through LAWMA to hospitals and healthcare institutions in the state. Healthcare waste generators must equally be informed to give their waste to only registered healthcare waste collectors.” LAWMA boss cautioned
General Manager, Administration, LAWMA, Mrs. Abimbola Jijohun-Ogun, in her contribution, informed the participants to take advantage of the free safety boxes and medical waste colour coded bags by calling the LAWMA toll-free lines to inform the authority if they encounter any person showing symptoms of the Ebola Virus in the course of their duties.

Spanish priest with Ebola dies in Madrid hospital

Health workers load Ebola patient, Spanish priest Miguel Pajares, into an ambulance on the tarmac of Torrejon airbase in Madrid, after he was repatriated from Liberia for treatment in Spain, August 7, 2014.

An elderly Spanish priest became the first European to die from Ebola on Tuesday, succumbing to the virus in a Madrid hospital five days after being evacuated from Liberia.

The 75-year-old Roman Catholic priest, Miguel Pajares, was being treated in Spain with an experimental US serum, ZMapp, after being flown to Madrid on August 7 — the first patient to be evacuated to Europe in the fast-spreading African outbreak.

He contracted Ebola at the Saint Joseph Hospital in the Liberian capital Monrovia where he worked with patients suffering from the disease.

“It is confirmed. He died at 9:28 am (0728 GMT),” said a spokeswoman for the Spanish capital’s La Paz-Carlos III hospital, confirming that he had been treated with ZMapp.

The unproven medicine arrived at Madrid’s La Paz-Carlos III hospital on Saturday after Spain’s drug safety agency exceptionally cleared its import.

“We hoped he would be able to overcome the disease but it was not to be. It is as God wished,” the priest’s sister-in-law Carmen Romo told Spanish radio station COPE.

- Inadequate safety -

Ebola has claimed four lives in 10 days among the staff at Saint Joseph Hospital in Monrovia, including its director, Cameroon-born Patrick Nshamdze. The hospital was closed on August 1.

A Roman Catholic order that set up the charity running the hospital has said it fears inadequate safety precautions were put in place.

The hospital is run by the Juan Ciudad ONGD charity, established by a Spanish Roman Catholic order, the Hospitaller Brothers of St. John of God.

Its spokeswoman, Adriana Castro, told AFP on Monday that an earlier test had wrongly shown the late director of the Liberian hospital to be free of Ebola.

“What we fear is that as Patrick’s test showed negative, many of them relaxed,” the spokeswoman said.

“We don’t know 100 percent but it is probable that is how Pajares was infected and possibly from Pajares the virus extended among people who were there.”

“Until they knew they were positive with Ebola they did not take precautions,” she said.

Ebola, which causes fever and, in the worst cases, unstoppable bleeding, spreads by close contact with an infected person through bodily fluids such as sweat, blood and tissue.

- ‘No gloves’ -

The latest outbreak — which the WHO says is by far the worst since Ebola was discovered four decades ago — has killed over 1,000 people and around 55-60 percent of those infected.

The Spanish religious order declined to comment on letters purportedly from Pajares describing his fear of Ebola and a lack of basic equipment to protect against its spread.

“Today, July 9 we had the first death from Ebola in our hospital. Many of us who work here, including me, were in contact with the deceased even though we did not have gloves to protect ourselves,” the missionary was quoted as saying in one of several letters to friends and family quoted in Spanish daily El Mundo at the weekend.

The WHO issued advice in April to healthcare workers, stressing that it is not always possible to identify Ebola-infected patients.

Within a metre (three feet) of Ebola patients, healthcare workers should wear a face shield or a medical mask and goggles, a clean, non-sterile long-sleeved gown, and gloves, it said.

Rihanna, Eminem kick off mini-tour with maxi power

Eminem repeatedly and profanely reminded a packed Rose Bowl stadium that he doesn't much care about anything, as he and Rihanna opened their six-date Monster Tour onThursday night.

Then the Detroit rapper belied his words by delivering a boisterous, full-throttle performance that vastly outshone Rihanna's own.

The duo came onstage together, Rihanna clad in a black track suit laced with orange flames and Eminem strapped to a hospital bed in his signature grey hoodie, and immediately unveiled Numb and No Love (Don't Hurt Me). The musicians traded the spotlight for a while, with Eminem taking over Jay-Z's part on Run This Town, until Eminem yielded the stage to Rihanna for nearly an hour. The singer mostly revisited her setlist — with corresponding visuals — from last year's Diamonds World Tour, which borrowed heavily from her 2012 album Unapologetic.

Bolstered by eight dancers and a live band, Rihanna strutted and gyrated around the stage, frequently thrusting and groping her crotch. The singer managed to pound out a slew of hits in shotgun fashion, including Talk That Talk, Rude Boy, Umbrella and Pour It Up.

Toward the end of her run, the lights dimmed and the crowd raised glowing cell phones to accompany Stay, an evocative ballad that concluded with fireworks leaping up from behind the stage. As the lights rose again, Eminem returned and the duo combined their voices for Love the Way You Lie.

Eminem's portion of the set, which was aided by the rapper's former D12 compatriot Mr. Porter, opened with a surge of energy, one the audience had clearly been holding in anticipation as Rihanna performed. The rapper, casually dressed in a white T-shirt and camouflage shorts, responded in turn, rapping with aggressive enthusiasm on hits such as Marshall Mathers and The Way I Am.

The show seamlessly shifted between the two musicians, who had no opening act. Rihanna filled in for Dido on Stan, and the pair offered a cover of B.o.B. and Hayley Williams' 2010 single Airplanes.

Rihanna took the spotlight for a few more of her hits, including Diamonds and We Found Love, toward the end of the night following Eminem's performance of Not Afraid. But the emphasis lingered on the other headliner. It was the Eminem show, no question. . His renditions of Lose Yourself, from his film 8 Mile, and The Real Slim Shady, earned an impressive response, notable reminders of Eminem's sizable influence on music and pop culture over the past two decades.

The pair is scheduled to perform again Friday at the Rose Bowl before heading to East Rutherford, N.J. (Aug. 16-17) and Detroit (Aug. 22-23).