Source: http://www.punchng.com/news/ebola-survivors-lose-accommodation-jobs-%e2%94%80-lagos/

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.”

To show they have really survived, Fashola and his Commissioner for health should invite survivors for dinner in their houses. The dinner would be a photo-shoot session, where some journalist would also be invited to the dinner to alley the fear people might have towards ebola survivors, otherwise " people go still dey shun ebola survivor. "

KnowAll: To show they have really survived, Fashola and his Commissioner for health should invite survivors for dinner in their houses. The dinner would be a photo-shoot session, where some journalist would also be invited to the dinner to alley the fear people might have towards ebola survivors, otherwise " people go still dey shun ebola survivor. "

seconded
well said.

Oh dear

KnowAll: To show they have really survived, Fashola and his Commissioner for health should invite survivors for dinner in their houses. The dinner would be a photo-shoot session, where some journalist would also be invited to the dinner to alley the fear people might have towards ebola survivors, otherwise " people go still dey shun ebola survivor. "

the American doctor that survived this ebola hugged all the medical team that took care of him after he recovered when he was making a speech, all this was done in the full glare of the nation because of course the media was present.

That's the US sha, our mentality is still getting the better of us. people will be like, what did they use to treat this person? what if the ebola is just hiding somewhere in his body and it is when i decide to shake him/her that the thing go decide say e wan come out again. atleast we know say na Zmapp US use, wetin naija they use wey them dey say so so so and so have been cured.

There are so many reasons people will not believe and that makes it unfair to these survivors of this deadly disease, its a matter of the trust that is lacking btw the people and those in govt and the level of enlightenment in the country.

IF THE PERSON IS STILL ALIVE, THEN HE HAS BEEN CURED. But i support the govt having something like a dinner party with them when we finally conquer this disease cause i know we will. Except Fashola and co are also afraid.

KnowAll: To show they have really survived, Fashola and his Commissioner for health should invite survivors for dinner in their houses. The dinner would be a photo-shoot session, where some journalist would also be invited to the dinner to alley the fear people might have towards ebola survivors, otherwise " people go still dey shun ebola survivor. "

True! They should practice what they preach....lead by example.

KnowAll: To show they have really survived, Fashola and his Commissioner for health should invite survivors for dinner in their houses. The dinner would be a photo-shoot session, where some journalist would also be invited to the dinner to alley the fear people might have towards ebola survivors, otherwise " people go still dey shun ebola survivor. "

gbam!!!

KnowAll: To show they have really survived, Fashola and his Commissioner for health should invite survivors for dinner in their houses. The dinner would be a photo-shoot session, where some journalist would also be invited to the dinner to alley the fear people might have towards ebola survivors, otherwise " people go still dey shun ebola survivor. "

I like people with uncommon ideas.