Ebola In PHC & Non Disclosure Of Vital Information! Reader Writes

A Port Harcourt resident who says it’s best for health
officials and the government at large in Port Harcourt to name the diplomat who
brought in Ebola virus into the State, which has also killed the doctor who has
been secretly treating him in an undisclosed hotel, sent in a mail this
afternoon demanding that the Government disclose this vital information which
will help safe the people of Port Harcourt. Here’s is unedited mail.

Dear Ladun,

How are you? I am a regular blog visitor and a big fan.  I have never written you before and I want to
remain anonymous. This Ebola Epidemic is very serious and I believe we must all
do our own bit to contain this virus. Social media has become a very fast way
of passing on information and also an effective/persuasive means of getting our
authorities to act. I have contacted you because I know that you have a
platform to reach out to as many people as possible. Continue below…

We all know that the deadly Ebola Virus has been imported
into PHC (my city sobs…) because of some ignorant,selfish people. Now even worse
off, the people are at more risk because the govt for reasons best know to them
(I suspect political etc), have refused to disclose the name of the hotel and
diplomat concerned. Now if vital information like this is withheld from the
masses how do they intend to contain the spread of this virus in PHC? We all
know that there has been a lot of contact with the supposedly infected persons
( both primary and secondary). This information needs to be passed on so people
that have made contact  can come out to
get tested and treated.

The names of the hospitals concerned and  the medical doc have been revealed. But why
is the name of the hotel and the said diplomat held back? Could this be because
it is a  “big men’s hotel/even govt
owned” or “big man”  respectively.
Rumour  has it that the hotel is a
government owned hotel and this info is concealed because some political rally
is scheduled to hold in PHC next week and they do not need this kind of bad
publicity because it is bad for business. 
If this is true, then this is sheer wickedness as this hotel is still
open and functional. Thereby putting the public at risk.  Like i said it is a rumour and I cannot
confirm this. However, our people say there is no smoke without fire.

The bottom line is that we are not well equipped to fight
this kind of epidermic head on. We don’t even have one vaccine “na beg we
dey beg other countries wey get, to help us”. Therefore, the best way out
of this is to tackle it at the early stages before it spreads like wild fire.
For this to happen, our people must be sincere, devoid of any selfish interest,
pass on all vital information to the masses and create full awareness. So that
people can take precautionary measure to protect themselves and those who have
made contact with infected persons can also turn up for testing and treatment.

For goodness sakes this virus is very contagious just by
mere contact with an  infected persons
body fluid. The earlier we act, the better for us.  We 
must show love and be our brothers keeper. Do not hide your family
members or friends who you suspect have made contact with infected persons or
areas. Report yourself if you are at risk or them as the case maybe, so that
you can get help and live….otherwise you will KPAI and others you love who were
in  contact with you will follow too
suit, except God saves you.

Ebola is so bad in neighbouring african countries because of
lack of information and slow action at the very early stages. However, I must
commend Lagos state and Federal for their swift action in Lagos. They reduced
the Ebola infected cases to only 1, until we got the sad new of PHC. Please
Rivers State must act fast because this is no joke and definitely not some
political rivalry. We at the break of an epidermic and innocent lives are at
stake.

EBOLA IS DEADLY….E NO KNOW WHO BE BIG MAN OR POOR MAN…IT
KILLETH ALMOST ALL IN CONTACT EXCEPT GOD DELIVERS YOU….

Thank you for passing this on until it gets to the
authorities and something is done….Please i want remain anonymous because i
have a bright future by God’s grace…This is Nigeria…i no dey for police
arrest or torture because I questioned our leaders on some issues.

God bless you.

Kind Regards

Rida