The Nigerian Medical Association on Monday faulted the Federal Government’s directive to schools to resume on September 22 as against October 12.

It said through its National Secretary-General, Dr. Olawunmi Alayaki, that all schools ought to remain shut till all those under surveillance for the Ebola Virus Disease in the country had been certified free.

“We are not happy with this decision on the resumption of schools. Schools should be shut till the last suspected case or patient is certified free of the virus,” the NMA said

The NMA suggested that the resumption of schools could be shifted till December or early part of next year because if Ebola should spread to any school, it would “assume another dimension.”


It said, “ We can shift the resumption date till next year or in the next three months if that is the time it will take. Government should have enough time to follow the standard procedure for containing the virus.

“Parents have no reason to be in a hurry because if Ebola should enter any school, it will assume another dimension. Children cannot survive isolation like adults.


“Nigeria is peculiar because of her large population and we should be pragmatic and proactive. It will not augur well for the country if we have another outbreak due to carelessness.”

Also, the Lagos State chapter of NMA said that the Federal Government should have postponed the resumption date till the completion of surveillance and monitoring of contacts in the affected states.

http://www.punchng.com/news/ebola-doctors-reject-sept-22-schools-resumption-date/

The former Lagos NMA chairman, also warned parents not to force sick children to go to school as this could expose them to infections.

Temiye said, “Governments must ensure that clean water flows on schools’ premises so that children can wash their hands regularly. Water is important for sanitation and it is the duty of government to ensure that citizens have access to it.

“Also, parents should take sick children to hospital. Don’t give them drugs and force them to go to school. Ebola can only be caught from a sick person. School authorities should watch out for and isolate sick children from others.

“Again school owners should give hand sanitisers to their pupils before allowing them into their premises. They should also have thermal thermometers to check the temperatures of their pupils before allowing them into their school premises.”

The Minister of Health had before the doctors spoke with one of our correspondents in Lagos, said that there was nothing to fear over the directive to schools to resume on September 22.

Chukwu, who gave an update of EVD in Nigeria, said, “We have contained the situation. Ebola is no longer in the streets anywhere in Nigeria.

“We are working with the Federal Ministry of Education and we made it clear that in institutions having students returning from outside Nigeria, they should let us know.

PRIVATE SCHOOL OWNERS ARE BEHIND THIS DEMONIC DECISION. GREED WILL DESTROY THEM.
THERE WILL BE SERIOUS TROUBLE IF ANY CHILD CONTACT EBOLA AFTER RESUMPTION.

WHEN WE OUGHT TO BE THANKING GOD THAT SCHOOLS WERE ON HOLIDAYS WHEN THE OUTBREAK OCCURED.

HOW CAN YOUSAY ALL THESE TO A 2 YEAR OLD FOR GOD'S SAKE?!?!!

Even though private school owners are the reason behind this nonsense, I wonder why our president always gives in to negative pressure.

This is the same civilian present who ordered a military blockage against #occupynigeria protesters when there was a hike in fuel price, but now he's so fast at making bad decisions.

But then, I'm not surprised. This is the same Nigeria where it takes 5years to get an HND while it takes just 2 years to get it in the UK. My point? This isn't the only thing flaWed in Nigeria, there are so many things going wrong so I'm not surprised at all.

NIGERIA IS A FAILED STATE

books space

I am sure they will still close all schools again , these private school owners just want to collect money from parents before the year finishes.

Greedy propritors who ar only after their fat pocket. Little wonder most of our private schools are nothing but special center in nigeria.

Just praying nothing happens to those kids.

They should stop playing politics with Ebola

Pavore9: Just praying nothing happens to those kids.

bros there is nothing prayer can do inn this case. If one child gets it ,every kid in that school is most likely to get it,because kids can't be controlled and isolated just as it was stated in the report or article . This is a very very very very and highly contagious disease and virus. Opening of schools at this time is the dumbeest idea of the century .I think this just shows how soft and malleable the president is. No matter what pressure ,he should have consulted with the NMA and other health bodies and not rely on his politicians friends advices . No matter how hard we pray ,if children resume the virus will spread,because there still cases although minimal been recorded in some states according to reports.one infected person can infect tens of people,now let's imagine an infected kid among 500 other pupils in just one school and those kids too have parents and family members at home they will go to.

NMA should not converse for postponement of school only but also for suspension of Church and Mosque activities as well.

its a risky decision by the federal government.. like d igbo folks will say #odikwa risky#

the kids are too careless to toy with. I think they should resume after salah festival.

This is one advice Mr. President must take seriously. The re opening of schools at this critical time will only bring more harm than good. For once let this man put his foot down as the educated man that he is and do something right.

Prevention is better than cure. This disease must be stamped out at all cost (it is possible) and if re-opening of schools next year will achieve this, then let it be so. We don't want to be like Liberia.

i was here

A Country ruled by greedy and corrupt lousy leaders so what else do you expect. Their Children are all abroad Schooling, so how does it concern them.
Enriching their Pockets is their Mission statement.
Dont Forget so easily that a whole country SIERALONE is on a THREE DAY LOCKDOWN to contain the spread of EVD. The Virus is still around, it has not Travelled!!!?

I think schools shud resume nxt year 22nd February 2015. ;

Well, it is very obvious that there was no parley between the FG and NMA before the new resumption date was announced. The Minister of Health should understand the fact that he is still a part of the NMA despite occupying that 'glorified' position as a Minister. The lives of the innocent children should not be toyed with. The decision on the resumption date should be reconsidered before it is too late

I think it is up to parents to decide whether to risk the life of their little children and also pay school fees to school owners or safeguard and do everything. Humanly possible to make these little children safe . Parents will have to decide

Is it the same NMA that refused to call off their strike when Ebola was ravaging the land?

I concur

NMA craving attention. if they are more concerned they should have halted the strike when EVD was first reported.

Discordant tunes coming from the Minister and NMA, it shows that our policy makers are still on the threshold of trial and error.

Na wa ooo this private school owners and greed sha.

I think the federal government got it right by keeping schools closed. So far, the containment strategy seems to be working. If we must keep them closed till december to forestall an escalation of the situation, so be it. We don't want a situation where marshal law is declared and whole communities cordoned just like in Liberia.

We must make this sacrifice.

I won't be surprised if this thing or issue turns political . I am sure many opposition or apc states will give a counter directive that state schools should not resume. This will be a political game changer for any state governor,any state governor that does this will win the heart of the people. As it is ,it seems gej is completely clueless about what he is doing about this school resumption date.

Whats the essence of stopping the student from resuming back to school when in the real sense 90% of the students are going for summer coaching in the same school

Sunnybobo3: Is it the same NMA that refused to call off their strike when Ebola was ravaging the land?

Don't mind them. The team that are even attending to ebola patients are mostly foreigners employed by fg. Though the resumption date was hasty and FG should have stayed with the October earlier stated. But I think we are really winning the war against ebola also. Anyone that want to allow his/her children to resume should first visit the school and see what school has put in place as a preventive measures. If not convinced then let the kids be at home. If you are not convenient of the date then keep them home.