By Dr. Nafisat Makinde
Abuja, Sept. 19, 2025
The Mandate Secretary of the FCT Health Secretariat, Dr. Dolapo Fasawe, has warned residents to stop assuming that every fever is malaria and to seek timely medical care.
“Every fever is not malaria,” Dr. Fasawe told journalists in Abuja. “If you have signs of illness—especially fever or any unusual bleeding—it is a very big emergency. You must report to the nearest health centre immediately.”
Her caution came after a suspected Ebola case in the FCT sparked public anxiety. Tests later confirmed the patient was negative for both Ebola and Marburg viruses. The individual, who had travelled from Rwanda, was swiftly isolated upon arrival at a hospital. “This is not the first suspected case we’ve had this year,” she explained, “but thanks to the FCT’s surveillance system, we followed protocols swiftly and effectively.”
Dr. Fasawe credited the newly commissioned Emergency Operations Centre and cooperation with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) for ensuring rapid detection and containment. She said border checks, especially at the airport, have been strengthened, while urging the press to verify health information before publication to avoid “unnecessary panic and stigmatization.”
On labour matters, she confirmed that FCT Minister Barr. Nyesom Wike has approved the payment of allowances and authorized new medical recruitments. Already, 37 doctors have been employed, with nearly 300 more to follow. “This is not a quick fix—we are building sustainable systems so allowances are paid automatically and strikes don’t return next year,” she said.
The President of the Association of Resident Doctors (ARD), FCT, Dr. Osundayo Tope Zenith, welcomed the intervention. “The strike was never political; it was simply to draw attention to challenges in the health sector,” he said. “We appreciate the Minister’s generosity and his prioritization of health.”
With Ebola ruled out and the strike called off, Dr. Fasawe reiterated that vigilance remains critical. “Health-seeking behaviour saves lives,” she emphasized. “Do not assume it is malaria—report early and let professionals handle it.”
