From Suleiman Idris, Lagos
Efforts by government to further strengthen its current efforts at containing the spread of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in Nigeria received boost as the United States Government has donated equipment worth 5,000 US Dollars to boost screening capacity at the Murtala Mohammed Airport, in Lagos.
United State Consul-General in Nigeria, Joff Hawkins also expressed satisfaction with the timely response of the Nigerian Government to the contagious disease since its importation into the country by Patrick Sawyer, a Liberian a month ago.
The Consul-General, who spoke at the presentation ceremony in Lagos commended the measures already put in place at the terminal pointing out that EVD is neither a Nigerian nor West-African problem but a problem to humanity as a whole.
Mr. Hawkins said the donation of the equipment is a symbol of willingness on the part of the American Government to assist Nigeria in any way possible to combat the scourge.
Known as infrared thermometers or non-contact thermometers, the portable handheld equipment has the ability to measure body temperature of in-bound and out- bound passengers for possible Ebola symptoms from a distance.
Speakers at the event commended the agencies at the airport for their collaboration since the first reported case of the virus in Nigeria.
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria FAAN had earlier purchased the equipment for the Port Health Services and other collaborating agencies to effectively discharge their duties in the face of the threat posed by the rampaging virus.
The screening of passengers which was initially restricted to in-bound passengers from the West-African countries has since been expanded to include all in- bound and out- bound passengers from all destinations.
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