Despite its which has entered the fifth week, the Nigerian Medical Association seems ready to backwords with action as it has set up a committee to combat the spread of the dreaded virus.

At a press conference held to sensitise the public of preventive measures against the virus, chairman of the Lagos chapter of the NMA, Tope Ojo, said a team of doctors from the state have already volunteered to help patients at the Infectious Disease Hospital, Yaba, Lagos.

“or no strike, we must respond to emergencies. Our doctors are at Mainland Hospital, Yaba, where isolated contacts are being monitored. There are seven committees working on the management of the disease at the centre in Lagos and our members are part of the various committees,” he said.

“When there is disaster outbreak, you find out that there will be response by NMA. The issue of strike will not affect our involvement. The NMA is a responsible body and I can assure you that in as much as we don’t pray for natural disasters, NMA will definitely respond. We worked all through the night trying to find out who should be here or there today. It is not a question of if the hospital is on today we work more than what we have been doing.

“But the committee where we are having challenges getting volunteers is case management. This is the people that work directly with confirmed and suspected cases.

“Look at the protective measures that doctors in Liberia and Guinea wear. They are well protected, yet some of them still caught it. Our doctors are worried about the danger it poses to their lives and they need to be reassured. We understand their fears and we are making moves to confirm the level of preparedness of the government for doctors.”

Ojo also added that apart from the doctor who is confirmed to have Ebola, a matron at the hospital is also showing symptoms of the virus.