Businessman and philanthropist, Aliko Dangote, has donated the sum of N152, 956, 250.00 from Dangote Foundation for the establishment of a National Ebola Emergency Operations Centre (EOC), Yaba, Lagos.
The Minister of Health, Dr. Onyebuchi Chukwu, noted that “the Ebola EOC ensures that government continues to provide the necessary leadership and a transparent platform for the coordination and collaboration that are essential for us to stay on top of this crisis.”
“We are delighted that Alhaji Aliko Dangote has once again stood up to be counted when it matters. The national response to the unfortunate outbreak of Ebola in our country has been impressive. The few cases of Ebola Virus Disease, all contracted from the index case, are confined to one state only,” the minister said.
Dangote said, “This is a period of national health emergency. At this time, the government’s comprehensive containment strategy requires the support of all Nigerians to succeed. We have, therefore, decided to lend our support to the effort. The Ebola EOC is an important innovation that will strengthen our health system, even long after this particular health crisis has abated.”
Dangote also called on Nigerians to be careful about their personal hygiene and not to be shy to approach health providers if they or anyone near them portrays symptoms of the disease.
“We encourage all well-meaning Nigerians to support the government as the country rallies to combat the Ebola virus. Our support is in line with our Foundation’s goal to improve the wellbeing of all Nigerians.”
The EOC is a key part of Nigeria’s response to the outbreak of Ebola on its shores. It is headed by Dr. Faisal Shuaib, a United States-trained public health expert with extensive international experience. It serves as the engine room of the national response, providing the coordinating mechanism for prevention, surveillance, patient care, tracking, data analysis and containment of the spread of the virus. It also facilitates the coordination of partners, serving as a platform to link to the medical community across the country and also internationally, especially with the countries also battling the virus in West Africa.
The WHO Country Representative for Nigeria, Dr. Rui Gama Vaz, underscored what he called Nigeria’s speedy detection of the index case. This, he said, was followed by the immediate declaration of the outbreak and the mounting of a comprehensive containment strategy–all the plan was supported by the Emergency Operation Centre in Lagos.
“We strongly believe that the EOC will have a tremendous impact in coordinating partners and pillar teams in their epidemic response work.”
The Dangote Foundation’s mission, according to him, is to cultivate opportunities for social transformation working through strategic investments that improve health and wellbeing, promote quality education and skills building and broaden economic empowerment opportunities, especially for youth and women.
