Simon Health Initiative Calls for Action on Ebola Case in Abuja

The Simon Health Initiative (SHIAfrica) has urged for an urgent and coordinated public health response after the Federal Government confirmed an imported case of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in Abuja. The organization reported that 44 contacts have been identified and are under monitoring by health authorities.

Founder and Executive Director Iyanuoluwa Bolarinwa stressed the importance of early intervention to prevent further transmission. SHIAfrica called for strengthened disease surveillance, support for frontline health workers, and expanded public education.

The organization has been monitoring developments in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda while sharing public health information from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention. The case highlights the risk of infectious diseases crossing borders and the necessity for effective detection and response systems.

SHIAfrica referenced Nigeria's experience during the 2014 Ebola outbreak, which saw 20 confirmed cases and eight deaths, emphasizing the importance of rapid intervention and coordinated measures. The organization paid tribute to health workers, particularly Dr Stella Ameyo Adadevoh, for their contributions during the outbreak.