The Lagos State Government has stressed the need for all school children to observe basic environmental and personal hygiene as part of measures to curb the spread of the deadly Ebola Hemorrhagic Fever (EHF) particularly among students in the State,
The Commissioner for Education, Mrs. Olayinka Oladunjoye, who disclosed this in her Office today stated that the need for students to inculcate simple and basic habits of environmental and personal hygiene, like hand washing with soap and running water and maintaining clean toilets, cannot be over emphasized in the fight against the spread of any disease.
She advised parents and guardians to seize the opportunity of the extended vacation to look after their children and wards who might be sick by taking them to the nearest Primary Health Centers for adequate and proper treatment before the new date of school resumption.
The Commissioner reiterated the federal government’s directive that all public and private primary and secondary schools in the country should resume on Monday, October 13, 2014 and the suspension of all summer programmes during the holiday.
According to her, this extension should afford all institutions, either private or public, the opportunity to further ensure that the school environment is well equipped with all facilities necessary for the well being of students and teachers.
She also allayed the fears of parents and guardians about the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) breaking out in schools stressing that, so far, the collaborative efforts of governments at all levels had brought the disease under control and proper management in the state.
The Commissioner also commended the efforts of all health workers who had been involved in the treatment and management of Ebola Virus infected patients so far in the State, adding that they have not only stood up to be counted when there was dire need for it but they have helped in allaying fear among the citizenry.
Mrs. Oladunjoye concluded by reiterating the need for parents and guardians to prepare their wards adequately ahead of the October 13, 2014 resumption date by treating all cases of malaria and other associated symptoms at any of the Primary Health Centers nearest to them.
