Ebola scare: Port Health establishes screening centres at terminal gates

By SEGUN Oladipupo |

The reported case of Ebola outbreak in Democratic Republic of Congo has necessitated the Port Health Services officials to establish screening centres at the entrance of all the terminals in Apapa port.

The Officer in Charge of Port Health in Apapa, Mr. Olokodana Abisola told our correspondent in his office that the agency is putting everything in place to curtail the transmission of the deadly disease into the shores of the country.

According to him, officers of the agency are stationed at the entrance of each terminal both in Apapa and Tincan to screen any person coming into the terminals. He further stressed that the service would also carry out a sensitisation program in the ports to create awareness about how people should conduct themselves while in the midst of people to avoid any possible transmission from anyone that is affected by the virus.

“Because people travel by air, by land and by sea, that is why the minister of Health, the Director of Port Health Services have mandated us to re-enact the screening exercise at the port entrance and various ways to curb ebola.”

Sequel to the outbreak of Ebola in Congo DR, the Port Health Services have decided to intimate users on the need for Ebola screening at the terminals and vessels coming from African countries.

“The commencement should be without delay as directed by the Honourable Minister of Health in order to safeguard the port community and the nation at large,” he said.

Abisola said that the service would conduct a sensitisation exercise for clearing agents and truck drivers who sometimes drive out of the country so that they would know how to conduct themselves wherever they go. He however called on port users and the general populace to engage in regular washing of hands, avoid eating bush meat and to maintain high level of cleanliness and hygiene.

Some of the terminals where the officers are stationed include, Apapa Bulk Terminal Limited (ABTL), AP Moller Terminal ( APMT), ENL Consortium, Eko Support Services among others. He added that all personnels on board vessels coming from African countries would also be screened ,awarded certificates if found to test negative to the disease. Food handlers are also to be taken to the service laboratory centres for tests to make sure that they are free from any form of contagious diseases before they can be certified to handle foods given out to people for consumption.