To some people, a year seems a long time ago; but for those who lost their loved ones to the deadly Ebola Virus Disease (EVD), one year is just like yesterday.
EVD was ‘imported’ into the country by a Liberian, the late Patrick Sawyer, last year.
The virus would have claimed more lives if not for the courage and selfless attitude of some people, especially health workers. Dr. Ameyo Stella Adadevoh, who gave her life in order to stop the virus on August 19, 2014, tops the list.
Having identified and contained the first patient, Nigeria was saved from experiencing the same fate, as countries like Liberia and Sierra Leone suffered.
To honour her sacrifice, some of her family members and other well-meaning Nigerians have set up a health trust in her name to raise awareness on the causes, assist in the prevention of outbreak of epidemics and to support measures of handling such issues.
Governed by board of trustees and advisors, the trust will focus on four important health areas: policy, research, disease control and education/training.
On the board are her siblings: Ama Adadevoh, an associate in a private dental practice in the United States of America; and Kodjo Adadevoh, a senior director in a biotechnology company in the U.S.
For Adadevoh and the other health workers who lost their lives in the battle against Ebola, their death is not to be in vain, as the trust has called on people to donate towards achieving their goal.