Doctors At Ebola Isolation Center In Lagos Say N1.9bn Promised By The FG Was Never Received

Countering reports from both the Federal Government and the Ministry of Health in Nigeria claiming almost N1.9bn in funding was released to fight the Ebola virus, doctors working at the isolation center at the Infectious Disease Hospital (IDH) in Yaba, Lagos, say that they have yet to receive any financial support, and as conditions there deterioriate, so does staff morale.

Reaching out today, a resident doctor working at the center, who asked to remain anonymous, disclosed that the money allegedly sent from the Federal Government has yet to reach patients suffering in Lagos. “The money said to have been released by the Federal Government is still ‘on its way’ to Lagos,” he said.

The resident also revealed some of the appalling conditions at the center and the callous nature with which the medical staff at the isolation center are being treated, faulting the Ministry of Health for their attempts to mislead the public on the crisis and downplay the efforts of the staff there. 

“Chukwu is grossly misinforming the public,” the source said. “He claims residents are not part of the success story. I have been attending the training sessions with the World Health Organization (WHO) and Doctors Without Borders at the Infectious Diseases Hospital (IDH) in Yaba. From Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) alone there are up to 4 or 5 doctors among the 10 or so doctors there.” 

He further alleged that these doctors, especially the residents, have been working hard to ensure patients receive adequate care, at the expense of their own. ” Residents are in absolute control in IDH, Yaba. They have been there with all dedication for 3 weeks or more. They have been working tirelessly in shifts without adequate renumeration, food, shelter, or care,” he said.

 The Ministry of Health released a press statement today claiming millions have been donated by corporations to the Ebola crisis relief efforts in Nigeria, on top of funds alloted by the state government and federal government.

Read the press statement from the Ministry of Health below.

PRESS STATEMENT

The Honourable Minister of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu announced at the post Federal Executive Council press briefing yesterday that the following corporate organizations have made contributions to the Federal Government’s control measures against Ebola Virus Disease in Nigeria.

1. Aliko Dangote Foundation donated N152 million (one hundred and fifty two million naira ) to sponsor the Ebola Emergency Operation Centre in Lagos. 
2. The ANAP Foundation founded by Mr. Atedo Peterside informed the Minister of Health that the foundation would be supporting affected private hospitals to the tune of N100,000 (one hundred thousand naira) per bed space. He also disclosed to the Minister that the First Consultant Hospital in Lagos where the index case was managed would be the first beneficiary and that the hospital would receive N4 million (four million naira) since its bed capacity is forty. 
3. The Tony Elumelu Foundation has pledged a donation of N50 million (fifty million naira) to support the Federal Government’s containment efforts.
4. Shell Petroleum Limited donated an ambulance to the Ebola Emergency Operation Centre in Lagos.

Dan Nwomeh
Special Assistant on Media and Communication to the Minister of Health

Source: Sahara Reporters