Lagos State Government on Tuesday says it will not hesitate to
prosecute any resident that stigmatises survivors of the deadly Ebola
Virus Disease.
It was learnt that the government took the decision after a complaint
of stigmatisation was made by two of the nine survivors, who were also
certified free from EVD.
The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Jide Idris, said on Tuesday during a
press briefing in Alausa, Ikeja, that the government was determined to
ensure that Ebola survivors were reintegrated into the society.
He said, "The social problem being faced by discharged cases has been
reported to the government.
"This ranges from stigmatisation, eviction from their accommodation,
being asked to stay away from work and termination of employment.
"We have had cases of employers just terminating the employment of
their workers who were just mere contacts, not even suspected cases.
We believe this is unfair and we feel this impedes on their
fundamental human rights.
"Now, the Ministry of Justice will take the matter up. Anybody,
whether a discharged patient or a contact followed up, who feels
stigmatised, can petition the Ministry of Justice and the Attorney
General of Lagos State and the government will take that matter up on
their behalf."
Idris urged residents to help all cases and contacts that had been
given a clean bill of health to reintegrate into the society.
"Stigmatisation will reverse the gains so far made in the containment
and management of this outbreak. People who come down with Ebola may
not come out and this may jeopardise not only their lives, but their
family members and other people they come in contact with. That's why
it is essential that people should stop that," Idris said.
The commissioner said the two cases of stigmatisation that had been
reported by survivors had been referred to the Ministry of Justice.
Idris said the government had successfully traced all primary contacts
of the index case, Patrick Sawyer, while other contacts under
surveillance had been followed up within the stipulated period.
He added that the First Consultant Hospital, where the first case was
recorded, had "been decontaminated and also certified to reopen for
business."
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