Brutal measures will not scare Ebola!

Ebola is not an epidemic yet, and even at that, blocking the borders of Cameroon with neighbouring countries can be termed overreacting. International traffics have been halted and to make it worse, the people have not been made aware of such changes, thereby leading to frustration.

For instance, I was practically denied a flight to Congo after spending ample time and money preparing for the trip. People are quarantined at the airport; some personalities travelling through Guinea were denied access into the country; our meeting [CODESRIA] was cancelled because of restricted migration.

This is a harsh and repressive way of handling issues. If a country has a few people infected by Ebola, does it mean the entire country is doomed? What about individuals with businesses and families abroad? Let us be realistic in all decision-making and let the hunter not become the hunted.

As a matter of fact, Cameroon is the only country that has taken such drastic measures. As per the budget allocated for this deadly infection, the money is “too much’’ because Ebola is not yet a threat in the state.

Sensitization campaigns are much needed for the time and this does not cost a thing. This amount could have been shifted to more pertinent issues such as malaria, rather than fill the pockets of some politicians.

Propaganda is the order of day in the nation, hence, the media have tended to be band-wagon, giving an unfair assessment, rather than stating the facts. They should do their job by carrying out sensitization campaigns.

Ebola is not a person’s business; therefore other players such as traditional authorities, sociologists should be brought into the field in order to make the battle a success. Prof. Emmanuel Yenshu, Vice-Dean, Research & Cooperation, UB