FAAN supports clinic with facilities over Ebola screening
By Chukwuemeke Iwelunmo, Lagos
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) says the enabling environment has been put in place for officials of the port health service under the Federal Ministry of Health to carry out their duties at the nation’s airports.
Speaking after a tour of the port health facility at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Health, Abdullahi Mashi accompanied by the Airport Terminal Manager, Olutayo Oginni told reporters that adequate space has been provided by FAAN, for offices, screening centres and clinics for port health officials to handle suspected cases when the need arises.
Oginni noted that FAAN has also assisted the port health officials with equipment required to adequately cater to the needs of passengers.
“We collaborate with them on the issue of provision of clinic space and every other thing they require of us. At the arrival hall, we have two different facilities for them there; the secondary screening place, the administrative office and they have a permanent clinic at our E-arrival. We made sure we provided the enabling environment and equipment they need in that place,” Oginni declared.
He stated that provision was also made for an isolation clinic on the airside where suspected passengers on arrival are taken for thorough for examination, adding that all the necessary needs of the port health officials have been provided.
After the inspection, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Health, Abdullahi Mashi promised that the facilities at the port health facility at the airport would be upgraded and well-equipped to help officials carry out their job.
He explained that his visit was to witness firsthand the level of preparedness and response level of the port health in case there were issues to address, disclosing that “since I assumed duties, I have never been to any port health facility, so it is an opportunity for me to be in Lagos access their level of preparedness and their level of response in case there is any issue to address.”
During the inspection, the Head, Port Health Services, Dr. Alex Okoh enumerated the challenges the service grapples with at the airport to include, inadequate personnel; doctors and nurses, drivers for their two ambulances and oxygen among others.
The permanent secretary promised that the ministry would look into the matter urgently, promising that “I assure you we will do something about it when we get back”.
Speaking on the recent alleged passenger with the Ebola symptoms, Mashi said there was no cause for alarm, adding that after thorough laboratory tests, the passenger was confirmed negative.
