The Enugu State Government on Wednesday described as “unfortunate and uncalled for”, the panic withdrawal of students by their parents in different schools across the State.
Rumour had taken over the State that some military officials were forcefully injecting students with killer vaccines.
The development created confusion in the State as parents besieged schools demanding for their wards.
Reacting to the rumour, the state commissioner for Health, Dr. Fintan Ekochin said “There is absolutely nothing to worry about and if there should be, be rest assured that we will do everything possible to get everybody in the know.
“There is only one established case of Monkey-pox in Bayelsa state there is no other established case in anywhere in Nigeria as we speak. Some states have reported suspect patients, cases they are investigating and until such cases confirm diagnosis, it remains unconfirmed and suspicion.”
He added, “On the other hand, nobody is going around doing any vaccination for monkey-pox, not even by willingness let alone by force.
“There is no such activity going on. It is unfortunate people have panicked and this was reflected in the massive withdrawal of children from schools today (Wednesday).
“It was totally uncalled for. So we wish to use this opportunity to reassure the good citizens of Enugu state and beyond that there is nothing to worry about. The state is on surveillance twenty four hours every week.
“So, I plead with parents, if you can still take your children back to school today, please do that, if not please make sure they are back to school tomorrow.”
While advising on good hygiene, Ekochin said, “there is no epidemic or outbreak of monkey-pox in Enugu but if the question is if there is any suspected case, the answer is yes, we have a suspected case being handled as international best practices require. International best practice requires quarantine, monitoring, treatment.”
“On if there was any military medical outreach programme in Enugu state, the state commissioner for Information, Mr. Ogboagu Anikwe said “There is no such programme going on in Enugu state, even in the case of Anambra state, it is restricted to one local government and in one town called Ozubulu and that programme has been stopped there is a lot of misconception following it.
“So I can confirm to you that there is no such medical outreach is going on in Enugu state as we speak.”
Similarly, the 82Division Nigerian Army (NA), has described the rumour as mischievous.
In a statement by Col. Sagir Musa, Deputy Director Army Public Relations, he said “the attention of the 82 Division Nigerian Army (NA), as been drawn to a silly and mischievous publication now trending on the social media alleging that the ongoing free medical services giving to some communities in the South Eastern Region of Nigeria is with a sinister motive of depopulating the region through the so called “monkey pox vaccination” purportedly being conducted by the NA in the region.
“The Division wishes to make it clear that the free medical outreach is not a vaccine intended to infect monkey pox or any major contemporary or emerging diseases in Nigeria to the people of South East or any part of the country.
“The exercise is part of the corporate social responsibility initiatives imbued in to the overall Exercise EGWU EKE 11 package, to the people of the South Eastern Region which is the Area of Responsibility of the 82 Division NA and is also the theatre of the Exercise.
“Instructively, the free medical services in the region started on the 18th of September 2017 in Nkwaagu community of Abakaliki Local Government Area (LGA) of Ebonyi State. At the event, the Deputy Governor of Ebonyi State, the Chairman of the LGA and some traditional rulers of the benefiting community were there at the flagg off of the exercise by the Chief of Army Staff Lieutenant General TY Buratai.
“Other areas where the programme was conducted were Ovim in Isoukwato LGA of Abia State, Mbaise in Imo State, ORJI River in Enugu and now Ozubulo in Anambra State.
“In all the mentioned areas, there has not been any recorded incident or complain of any kind arising from the noble humanitarian gesture of the NA.
“Hence, the wicked, ill motivated rumour/ lies is the handiwork of unpatriotic elements who can go to any length to discredit the noble services of the NA in the region, which at the moment they will not succeed.
“The 82 Division NA also wishes to thank all the good people of Ozubulo in Ekwusigo LGA including the chairman Engineer Ofademe Ikenna and the Honourable Commissioner for HealthAnambra State Dr Akabuike who turned out enmass to grace/ benefit from theExercise.
“Also our appreciation to the Anambra State National Coordinator of Tuberculosis and Leprosy Control Programme Dr Okafor for gracing the occasion and commended the exercise.
“The publics are hereby please requested to disregard the wicked rumour for the good of the people.”
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