Editorial
0

Ebola Outbreak: Giving Credit When Credit Is Due By Kenneth Akwuole

Ebola Outbreak: Giving Credit When Credit Is Due By Kenneth Akwuole New York[RR] Abuja–On Wednesday, October1, 2014, the Washington Post reported that “Nigeria’s Actions Seem to Contain Ebola Outbreak.” The reputable US newspaper went on to describe the specific actions by the Nigerian government and her health care professionals that helped in containing the Ebola […]

EbolaMandatory_Credit_Photo_by-634x336

Ebola Outbreak: Giving Credit When Credit Is Due By Kenneth Akwuole

New York[RR] Abuja–On Wednesday, October1, 2014, the Washington Post reported that “Nigeria’s Actions Seem to Contain Ebola Outbreak.” The reputable US newspaper went on to describe the specific actions by the Nigerian government and her health care professionals that helped in containing the Ebola virus-a dreadful epidemic now ravaging a few other West African countries with huge loss of lives.

The paper also cited one of the leading health organizations, the US Center for Disease Control (CDC) in support of its affirmation of Nigerian impressive efforts. What makes this report remarkable is that it came on the day the US recorded its first case of Ebola in the State of Texas by a patient who recently returned from Liberia after visiting some relatives.

Unfortunately, some people who are looking for reasons to disparage Africa are already using this one incident to rekindle all the negative stereotypes about Africa. But, at a time when Africa has been brought back into the spotlight for the wrong reason, it is heartening to read that there is, at least one country in the region that has gotten it right…Nigeria.

It would have been heart wrenching to witness the number of lives that would have been lost in Nigeria if the authorities and the health care professionals had failed. The level of humiliation and shame for Africans and mostly Nigerians all over the world would have been unbearable.

That Nigerian government performed admirably in this particular instance is a great tribute to the men and women in the health care field who risk their own precious lives every day to save others. I pray that the few who died in the process will continue to be remembered for their heroism and that God will reward their families for their ultimate sacrifice.

Since there are several lessons to be learned here, let me just mention a few. By performing exceedingly well in beating back this lethal disease, Nigeria has proven once again that we, as a country can meet our most momentous challenges when we channel our resources towards resolving the problems without ethnic considerations.

It also reinforces the fact that Nigerian professionals anywhere can rise to the occasion if they are properly trained, well-equipped and supported by their respective governments. As the Washington Post report noted, the Nigerian government in this instance, have relied on the expertise and quick action of her most trained health care professionals while giving them all the available support they need to stop the spread of the virus.

For a country that is often dominated by news about corruption and mismanagement, the brilliant performance of our health care sector and the collective effort of our governments in this case accentuate the positives about Nigeria while reducing the focus on the other unflattering incidents.

Although Nigeria deserves all the recognition and gratitude our citizens and the international community can accord her, the determination by neighboring countries to save those already afflicted by the disease and to stem its spread must also be recognized.

The fact that most African countries are joining their efforts to fight this epidemic while calling for international support, attest to the recognition that every life saved at this moment trumps all other considerations. On that measure, our African governments and families who may not have been so fortunate in escaping the clasps of this disease deserve our greatest sympathy and best wishes. And for the country that just celebrated her 54th birthday, the greatest birthday gift for her citizens is a chance to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

Thanks to our health care workers and congratulations to Nigeria!

The writer, Dr. Kenneth Akwuole is an Adjunct Professor of Microeconomics and the author of The United States Trade Policy towards Sub-Sahara Africa (2009). Saarbrucken, Germany: VDM-Verlag Publishers and Amazon.com.

Republic Reporters: Standing Between Civilization And Anarchy...

Republic Reporters New York

There are 0 comments

Leave a comment

Want to express your opinion?
Leave a reply!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

You may use these HTML tags and attributes: <a href="" title=""> <abbr title=""> <acronym title=""> <b> <blockquote cite=""> <cite> <code> <del datetime=""> <em> <i> <q cite=""> <s> <strike> <strong>