Dangote donates N152 million to
fight Ebola
Africa’s richest man and philanthropist Aliko
Dangote has boosted Nigeria’s battle against
the deadly Ebola with a N152, 956, 250
donation.
The money donated through the Dangote Foundation
is for the establishment of a National Ebola
Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) at Yaba, Lagos.
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 U.S.-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.
Minister of Health Dr. Onyebuchi Chukwu said: “The
Ebola EOC ensures that government continues to
provide the necessary leadership and a transparent
platform for the coordination and collaboration
which 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.”
Dangote said: “This is a period of national health
emergency and 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.”
He 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, show
symptoms of the disease.
“We encourage all well-meaning Nigerians to support
government as the country rallies to combat the
Ebola virus,’ Dangote said. ‘Our support is in line with
our Foundation’s goal to improve the wellbeing of all
Nigerians,” he said.
The WHO Country Representative for Nigeria, Dr. Rui
Gama Vaz, said: “Nigeria’s speedy detection of the
index case, the immediate declaration of the
outbreak, mounting a comprehensive containment
strategy and plan 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.”
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