Media advocacy plays a positive role in Ebola education

World Today

Media advocacy plays a positive role in Ebola education

Health officials in Nigeria say they are containing the Ebola outbreak. Four more people who were sick have recovered and been discharged. The media has played a large role in educating people. CCTV’s Deji Badmus reports.

Media advocacy plays a positive role in Ebola education

Health officials in Nigeria say they are containing the outbreak. Four more people who were sick have recovered and been discharged. The media has played a large role in educating people. CCTV's Deji Badmus reports.

Nigeria appears to be containing the outbreak. Its isolation center has been the focal point in Nigeria’s fight against the Ebola virus. It is where the infected are being treated.

For the first time, health officials have brought journalists there to talk about patients who’ve survived.

“They have been symptom free for at least three days and they have had their blood checked and they have now tested negative for Ebola virus. They are being counseled by the Psychosocial team and they would come periodically for checkups. But by protocol, they are ok and that is why we are releasing them to go home.” -Jide Idris, Lagos State Commissioner of Health

Nigeria has not recorded any death now for the past five days. Health experts said that is a very encouraging sign. People also are far more aware of how to protect themselves.

Much of that awareness is thanks to an intensive campaign by the country’s media. Local television stations have been reporting extensively on what Ebola is and how it spreads.

At  Television Continental, staff also take precautions.

“We have had meetings from senior management down to the gate men on how to protect themselves. On our TV stations, we have health programs where we talk about the same topic, Ebola and during our news hours, we also have promos on tips on Ebola and how to protect yourself and what is going on now in west Africa.” -Ifeanyi Omije, Director of Human Resources, TVC

Newspapers have also been effective, pushing the message on prevention and treatment, and debunking some of the rumors that have trailed the outbreak of the disease.