In a sustained bid to contain the spread of the dreaded Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in and around the University community, the management of the University of Ilorin has procured Ebola preventive equipment worth N1.2 million.

The equipment include personal preventive kits, face masks, boots, hand gloves, automatic soap dispenser, infrared thermometre (non-contact forehead) and disposable bed spreads. 

Unveiling the equipment at the University Health Centre last Thursday (September 11, 2014), the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. AbdulGaniyu Ambali, said that the procurement of the anti-Ebola kits was part of the University's preparedness to tackle the epidemic headlong.   

The Vice-Chancellor thanked members of the Unilorin Ebola Response Committee for their foresight and prompt preventive response, adding that all returning and new students would be screened before they would be allowed entrance into the campus.

Prof. Ambali also charged the University health workers to be at alert and to follow laid down procedures in the case of an outbreak.

He called on the University's Director of Health Services, Dr. (Mrs.) Mary Ajiboye, to come up with request for other necessary anti-Ebola kits for immediate approval.

Presenting the equipment to the Vice-Chancellor, the Director, Health Services, Dr. (Mrs.) Ajiboye, said that the kits are for the protection of staff and students, noting that prevention is better than cure particularly in the case of Ebola.

Dr. Ajiboye gave assurance that the University is ready and protected against any eventuality.

The Director, who is also a member of the Ebola Response Committee,  explained that the Committee would place the hand sanitisers in strategic locations on campus, such as the Senate Building, Faculties, the Walkway and the Unilorin FM Station, among other places.

A major highlight of the event was the symbolic demonstration of the use of the Ebola preventive kits by one of the doctors at the University Health Centre.

Earlier in the week, the Unilorin Ebola Response Committee led by its Chairman, Prof. Ayo Ojuawo, briefed the Vice-Chancellor on the activities of the Committee.

Prof. Ojuawo told the Vice-Chancellor that the Committee had taken cognizance of the implication of new students being expected on campus soon as well as returning students and students on immersion programme. He said there is no cause for alarm, as the Committee has put measures in place for comprehensive screening of  everybody.

The Chairman disclosed that all those attending conferences on the campus would be screened, explaining that their movement history and contact details would also be documented.

Prof. Ojuawo said that the Committee is working closely with the Kwara State Ministry of Health Committee that is saddled with the responsibility of handling any case of the outbreak of the disease.

He disclosed that portal cabins have also been provided on the main campus and at the College of Health Sciences to serve as quarantine spots for any suspected Ebola patient on the two campuses.

The Chairman disclosed that there is an on-going awareness campaign at all levels in the University to educate staff and students on Ebola prevention tips. He stressed that every available medium is being exploited to get the message out.

The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ambali, who was represented at the briefing by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Management Services), Prof. Yisa Fakunle, commended the Committee for “doing a good job”. He gave assurance that the University management would soon make available an ambulance dedicated for the management of the EVD.

He tasked the Committee to put measures in place to guard against the outbreak of EVD during the forthcoming 30th Convocation ceremony of the University.

He enjoined the Committee not to leave any stone unturned in the University's bid to prevent an outbreak of the disease on the campus