Ebola: NSCIA Urges Imams, Islamic Scholars To Intensify Public Awareness

The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) has urged Chief Imams, Islamic students and Muslim organisations nationwide to accentuate public consciousness of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) by Friday sermons, non secular gatherings and group engagements.

The Council made the decision in a public well being advisory following the affirmation of an Ebola case within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), urging non secular leaders to help authorities efforts to include the illness and stop its unfold.

The advisory was signed by the NSCIA Secretary-General, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, on behalf of the Council, below the management of its President-General and Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’advert Abubakar.

The Council additionally referred to as on State Councils for Islamic Affairs to mobilise their networks to teach Muslims and most of the people on preventive measures, early reporting of suspected instances and the necessity to keep away from spreading unverified data.

It urged individuals suspected of an infection to chorus from attending congregational prayers pending medical evaluation.

It suggested anybody experiencing signs related to critical infectious illnesses to hunt immediate medical consideration and keep away from exposing others to doable an infection.

The NSCIA counseled the Federal Government, the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) for his or her efforts in the direction of containing the outbreak.

It, nevertheless, referred to as for intensified illness surveillance, contact tracing, public enlightenment and improved preparedness of healthcare services, whereas stressing the necessity to defend healthcare employees and guarantee well timed dissemination of correct data.

The Council stated Ebola is a extremely contagious and probably deadly an infection transmitted by direct contact with the blood or physique fluids of contaminated individuals who’ve developed signs, contaminated supplies, or the our bodies of people that have died from the illness.

It added that an infection might additionally happen by contact with contaminated wild animals.

According to the advisory, signs could develop between two and 21 days after publicity and embrace fever, extreme headache, weak spot, muscle ache, vomiting, diarrhoea and, in some instances, unexplained bleeding.

The Council famous that the Bundibugyo pressure related to the present outbreak has no recognized permitted vaccine or particular healing remedy, though early medical intervention and supportive care can considerably enhance survival.

It suggested Nigerians to practise common handwashing, keep away from direct contact with suspected instances and their bodily fluids, and promptly report suspected infections to the suitable well being authorities by the NCDC toll-free quantity, 6232.

The Council additional urged the general public to cooperate with well being authorities throughout contact tracing and chorus from stigmatising affected people and their households.

Addressing the Muslim group, the NSCIA stated the preservation of life, recognized in Islam as Hifz al-Nafs, is among the elementary goals of Islamic legislation, or Maqasid al-Shari’ah.

It cited Qur’an 2:195, which cautions towards actions that expose folks to destruction, and recalled the Prophet Muhammad’s (SAW) steerage on limiting pointless motion into and out of areas affected by infectious illness outbreaks.

The Council confused that non secular religion and applicable medical care ought to complement one another, urging Muslims to stay calm, act responsibly and observe the steerage of well being professionals.

It additionally assured the Federal Government of its readiness to mobilise mosques, Islamic organisations and group leaders throughout the nation to help illness prevention and public well being schooling.

The NSCIA prayed for the safety of Nigeria, the restoration of these affected, the security of healthcare employees and an finish to the outbreak.