The Governor of Rivers State, Rt. Hon. Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi represented by the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Sampson Parker has on Tuesday inaugurated Ebola Epidermic Emergency Response Team in Khana Local Government Area.
The inauguration which took place in the LGA Council headquarters in Bori with the CTC chairman, Hon. Gordon Torwe as chairman, Supervisory Councilor for Health, Hon. Friday K. Baridilo as Vice Chairman, Medical Officer of Health (MOH), Dr. Barikura Kabari, Secretary, DSN officer, Nwiepedam Barile M, Assistant Secretary.
Others are Leerabari Deepie, Loveday Elugbara, Pst. P.G. Mdowa, Helen Biesu, Dr. Nwifa, Dr. Adebayo Adenwo, Rt. Rev. Dr. Solomon S. Gberegbara (JP), Amb. Jas Nwikina, and Barr. Dennis Gbaranor including 19 ward representatives.
The Commissioner, Dr. Parker charged the team to go to every nooks and crannies of the LGA and spread the Ebola message, creating Ebola awareness, showing the people what to do in case anybody is being infected with the virus.
He urged them to know that fear kills even faster than Ebola itself urging them to shun fear. They should be aware that bitter kola, bitter leaf and all other earlier remedies shown to them for treatment of Ebola are, but fake and that they should run to health facilities in case of any suspected case.
Parker who further enjoined them not to keep information gathered to themselves but report them promptly to the appropriate quarters.
Parker lauded the council for massive mobilization that brought people to the sensitization exercise explained that Khana has the largest turn out as compared with other LGAs since the sensitization tour started.
While Dr. Parker rolled out the symptoms of Ebola and its preventions, he said that the state acted fast to stop the disease on the Governor’s directives said that with the quick intervention there is no Ebola in the state now, but that there is going to be surveillance as movement of persons from one place to the other continue, adding that for safety people should avoid eating bush meat for now.
In his welcome address, the CTC Chairman, Hon. Gordon Tonwe thanked the Governor for his pragmatic approach to Ebola case which stopped its spreading.
Tonwe who was represented by his Supervisory Councilor for Health, Hon. Barilelo assured the Commissioner for Health that as the state is free of Ebola so Khana is going to be, adding that the team will work hard to keep the LGA safe as they are going to make washing of hands their watchword. ###
Mene Gbarabe
