Ebola: Anambra Doctors Mobilise Five Zones, Pledge Support for State Government

By Praise Chinecherem

The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Anambra State chapter, has pledged to support the state government in strengthening preparedness, prevention and clinical response to Ebola virus disease, while mobilising its five zonal structures to intensify public awareness and promote preventive health practices.

The association said its mobilisation efforts would cover Awka, Onitsha, Nnewi, Aguata and Ihiala, with campaigns targeting communities across the state to improve awareness of Ebola symptoms, personal hygiene, food safety and environmental sanitation.

The State Chairman of NMA, Dr Ndubuisi Arua, disclosed this in Onitsha during the association’s 2026 Physicians Week, themed “Securing the Future of Medicine in Nigeria.”

Arua said the annual event provided an opportunity for medical practitioners to reflect on their professional responsibilities, assess their contributions to Nigeria’s changing healthcare landscape and explore ways to strengthen the delivery of medical services.

He described Physicians Week as a period to celebrate the resilience, dedication and compassion of doctors, despite the numerous challenges confronting healthcare delivery in the country.

“The Physicians Week provides an opportunity for us to reflect on our calling as medical practitioners, celebrate our commitment to saving lives and examine how we can contribute more effectively to the evolving healthcare system,” he said.

Arua explained that the association was using the annual event to sensitise doctors to the signs and symptoms of Ebola virus disease and encourage vigilance in identifying suspected cases.

He stressed that maintaining a high index of suspicion was important in strengthening early recognition and appropriate clinical response to potential infectious disease outbreaks.

“We are using the annual Physicians Week to commence awareness campaigns and remind our members of the signs and symptoms of Ebola virus disease. This will help them remain vigilant and maintain a high index of suspicion,” Arua said.

He added that the association was extending its awareness campaign to the general public through radio and television broadcasts to ensure that accurate preventive health information reached communities across Anambra State.

According to him, the NMA is also promoting proper environmental sanitation, food hygiene and personal hygiene through its five zonal structures, with the aim of reaching villages and remote settlements.

The association is equally working to encourage the availability of personal protective equipment (PPE), medicines and other essential medical consumables in hospitals, clinics and designated treatment centres across the state.

“As an association of medical doctors across different specialties, we are frontline healthcare personnel in medical establishments throughout the state. We are prepared to work with the government and the people of Anambra to strengthen preparedness for infectious disease outbreaks, including Ebola,” he stated.

Arua reaffirmed the association’s commitment to supporting the government through collective initiatives and the individual contributions of doctors in their respective places of work.

The Physicians Week also featured lectures addressing the future of medical practice, physician welfare and the growing role of technology in healthcare delivery.

Delivering a lecture on “Securing the Future of Medicine in Nigeria,” Prof. Igwebuike Onyiaorah described the future of medicine as a holistic undertaking that extends beyond the work of doctors to include all professionals and stakeholders who contribute to healthcare.

He emphasised the need for a broader understanding of medical practice, noting that the sustainability and effectiveness of the health sector depend on the contributions of multiple actors.

In another presentation, Prof. Chigozie Ifeadike addressed physician welfare, focusing on preventing burnout, cardiovascular disease and premature death among medical practitioners.

Speaking on the need to prioritise doctors’ health, Ifeadike urged physicians to make their personal well-being a priority, noting that their ability to care for patients depends partly on their own physical and mental health.

“Doctors must also make time to take care of themselves. We need to remain healthy and alive to continue providing care for our patients,” he said.

The discussions highlighted the importance of physician well-being, digital health innovation and future-ready medical education in strengthening Nigeria’s healthcare system.

The NMA said its ongoing public awareness efforts and professional mobilisation were intended to reinforce preventive health practices and improve readiness for infectious disease threats in Anambra State.

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