MTN supports Lagos on Ebola treatment
Posted by admin | 10 years ago | 2,470 times
Leading telecommunication company, MTN Nigeria, on Monday presented some personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) to Lagos State Government, as its support in the war against Ebola Virus and disease in Nigeria.
Fashola, Lagos State Governor, while receiving the items commended the company for the way it had helped the state government in the past. He explained that the state has in the past benefited from the company when it donated a dialysis machines to the state government’s health sector and also partnered with the government in enhancing standard of education in the state.
Continuing, he declared: “ On behalf of the Lagos State Government we want to thank you for the public spirited gesture; this clearly has been the tradition which we have come to associate your brand with and especially in matters on health and education issues.”
The governor who confirmed receipt of N200 million from the Federal Government at the event said what the Lagos state government has done would be definitive on how to contain the virus in an urban center where the outbreak had been recorded in the last four decades.
He also commended health workers who risked their lives to save Ebola victims saying,” They stood up to be countered when there was dire need; when there was fear even at the highest levels of government. But in spite of those fears some men and women stood up to be counted. We will talk about them later
“The health team accepts this gesture and also wish to use the opportunity to reiterate again as I said in my broadcast that whilst we understand and fully appreciate the humanitarian concern that propels these things, the real problem is the sufficiency of experienced Virologists and Ebola specialist in managing and when the sub-region is challenged on many fronts that capacity thins out. That really is the problem, so it is not always a money problem. As at this time it isn’t really an equipment problem. It is a human capacity problem.
He advised the people not to panic concerning the disease: “We are a stage where like I said before we do not need to panic, Ebola virus is not automatic death sentence a lot of knowledge is being gained on daily basis even at this moment about the behavior of the virus and that knowledge help the scientist to prepare even better to respond.
“Different types of virus have been identified and we now have clarity about the length and life span of the virus. That body of knowledge helps in the management of disease.”
Expressing appreciation earlier to the governor was the Chairman MTN Nigeria Dr. Pascal Dozie saying, “We are here to express our appreciation and lend our support. We had already started supporting their cause by providing call centers, that is the Ebola hot line where their doctors are there responding to enquiries and findings. Today we have come to provide in support a fairly reasonable quantum of Personal Protective items both for the care givers and other health workers.”
“Our coming here is very simple. When you see a good thing you appreciate it and would want to be part of it. We have watched the Lagos state government under the leadership of Governor Fashola when this Ebola incident occurred.
“We thank God that it started off in Lagos because if it has started elsewhere we would have had a pandemic. Why did I say so? Their reaction was profound, dignified and historic, their response professionally systematic. It was as if haven prepared you were waiting for the event to happen” he concluded.
Source: Eberechi Obinagwam
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