The Honourable Commissioner for Health, Bayelsa State, Professor Seiyefa Brisibe, inaugurated Ebola incidence management team yesterday to strengthen disease monitoring, enhance early detection, and improve emergency preparedness in response to concerns over the recent Ebola outbreak across the nation.
The Commissioner urged residents to remain vigilant and strictly observe recommended public health and hygiene measures to prevent the spread of the disease.
Residents were encouraged to wash their hands frequently with soap and clean water, avoid direct contact with the blood and bodily fluids of suspected or confirmed cases, avoid handling dead bodies without trained professionals, and promptly report suspected symptoms to the appropriate health authorities.
The newly inaugurated committee is expected to strengthen surveillance, coordinate timely reporting, raise public awareness, and support a rapid response to any suspected case.
The Health Commissioner expressed appreciation to the attendees for activating the process, highlighting that Ministries and States in the health sector are well-prepared and have committed staff and personnel to handle public health emergencies by isolating where possible.
In his words: “For now as a State there are no suspected cases but we’re pushing out in preparedness in the case of emergency”.
The Commissioner reaffirmed the government’s commitment to protecting public health and called on healthcare workers, community leaders, and residents to work together to prevent the spread of Ebola through vigilance, cooperation, and strict adherence to official health advisories.
Prof. Brisibe further advised everyone to rely on information from recognised health authorities and seek immediate medical guidance if they suspect exposure or develop symptoms.
Key stakeholders in the meeting included the, Permanent Secretary Ministry of Health, Dr. Jones Stow, Director of Medical Services MOH, Dr. Ngowari Torunana, Director of Public Health MOH, Dr. Ebikapaye Okoyen, others Directors of the Ministry, The Hospital Management Board, Private Medical Practitioners, the Port Health Authority (along with their donated ambulances), WHO, UNICEF, NCDC, ES, Primary Healthcare Development Board, Dr. Williams Appah, CMD, BMUTH, Dr. Boboye Kenesuomone Ifie-Ombeh, and others for effective coordination and logistics.
