Dr. Olise attributed the spread of disease in some Africa countries, such as Guinea, Liberia and Nigeria, to weak health system, corruption and sub-standard laboratories.

While noting that the EVD had been in the West African sub-region for 38 years, since the first outbreak on August 26, 1976, the consultant epidemiologist, however, stressed that the number of victims of the disease would increase if serious efforts were not made by the government to stop the spread.
As measures to contain the deadly Ebola virus disease continues, a former Coordinator of the World Health Organisation in Edo State and a consultant Epidemiologist, Dr. Peter Olise,  has urged the Federal Government to strengthen the nation’s health system through coordinated development drives, human capacity building and committed leadership at all sectors.

He added that most communities in West Africa were vulnerable to the spread of Ebola due to their weak health sectors.

He, therefore, called for aggressive efforts towards effective disease surveillance and “establishment of inter-ministerial and inter-sectoral cooperation.”

Olise said, “The deplorable conditions in many developing countries today, including the state of their health care systems, point to no other but toxic leadership at many levels.

“The immediate problem as of now is halting the ongoing epidemic in West Africa and DRC.

“The key is effective disease surveillance (finding and reporting cases for health action,) isolation and appropriate supportive care of the sick and contact tracing to break the chain of transmission of the virus.

“It will take some months. But with commitment, we shall overcome.”