Minister of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu, has said none of the deported Nigerians from South Africa is in possession of a fake yellow fever card as alleged by the South African authorities.
Chukwu spoke on the issue at a press briefing in Abuja on Tuesday.
He stated that the Port Health Services, under the supervision of the Federal Ministry of Health, vaccinated and issued the yellow fever cards to travellers at airports, seaports and land borders in Nigeria, while health officials did the same in the states and Local Government Areas.
According to him, Nigeria is not at risk of a yellow fever outbreak. He noted that the last confirmed case of yellow fever in Nigeria was in 1995.
He said, “Nigeria is not endemic to yellow fever and there is no epidemic right now. The last confirmed cases of yellow fever in Nigeria were in 1995 when 25 cases with one death recorded.
“Countries at risk of yellow fever may be required to have their citizens travelling out to take the yellow fever vaccination and therefore have a Yellow card in accordance with the International Health Regulation of 2005.
“The list of other diseases for which vaccination is required will depend on individual countries in line with the IHR of 2005.”
He faulted the reason given by South Africa for the deportation and called on the former apartheid nation to stop politicising health issues. He argued that South Africa acted against the IHR on the matter.
Chukwu said, “So far, no country, no individual, no group has made any report to the Ministry on the possession of fake yellow fever card by an individual. If there are such cases, the ministry is ready to have reports for investigation.
“It is curious that a country that had issued entry visas to intending travellers which issuance was predicated on the presentation of a valid yellow fever card will then turn around to deport those travellers. If these travellers had fake yellow fever cards, how did they come about valid visas?”
“To the best of our knowledge, there was no reason to deport and embarrass these Nigerians. The action of South African immigration towards the Nigerian travellers is against the IHR 2005 Article 32. I am happy this issue is being appropriately handled by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.”
The minister added that in various states and LGAs, the health officers handle vaccination and issuance of yellow fever cards to prospective travellers.
He said, “The Port Health Services of the FMOH and the states collect yellow fever vaccines from the National Primary Health Care Development Agency and give yellow fever cards to prospective travellers after the vaccination. A fee of N500:00 is usually charged for the yellow fever card but the vaccine is given free.
“The Port Health Services which are supervised by the FMOH are located in the following sites; airports at: Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos; Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja; Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano; Margaret Ekpo International Airport, Calabar; and Port Harcourt International Airport, Port Harcourt.”
“Seaports at Ibaka Seaport(Akwa Ibom); Apapa, Tin Can (Lagos); Calabar (Cross River), Port Harcourt (Rivers); Onne Bonny, Brass (Rivers); and Warri, and Sapele (Delta) states.”
“Land Borders at Seme (Lagos); Idiroko (Ogun); Shaki (Oyo); Chikada (Kwara); Uyo (Akwa Ibom); Babana (Niger); Ilela (Sokoto); Kambe (Kebbi); Jiby (Katsina); Maigatari (Jigawa); Baga (Borno); Geidam (Yobe); Mubi (Adamawa); Gembu (Taraba); and Ofom (Cross River).”
He also explained that the international certificate of vaccination or revaccination against yellow fever is valid only if the vaccine used has been approved by the WHO and if the vaccinating centre has been designated by the health administration for the territory in which that centre is situated.
Chukwu said, “The validity of the yellow fever card extends for a period of 10 years, beginning from 10 days after the date of vaccination.”
He said that it was the duties of Nigerians to get vaccinated and get the yellow fever card before travelling to countries that required it.
The Minister stated that: “In Nigeria, the approved vaccination centres have been issuing yellow fever cards and we want to advise travellers that where there is any doubt about the authenticity of the yellow cards given to them, they should report to the Federal Ministry of Health.”
Meanwhile, members of the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs on Tuesday commended the steps taken by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to redress the unlawful deportation of 128 Nigerians from South Africa.
Chairman of the committee, Senator Matthew Nwagu, said Nigeria was mindful of all the maltreatments meted out to her citizens by South Africa, noting that the recent was the height of inhuman treatment.
He said the Senate would back the ministry in ensuring that adequate reciprocity was meted out.
Other members of the committee described as unfortunate the attitude of the South Africa to Nigerians, despite the major role Nigeria played during her struggle for independence 18 years ago.
Also, the House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs on Tuesday demanded reciprocal action to protest the deportation of 125 Nigerians by South African authorities.
The deportation, which took place on Friday last week over the alleged non-possession of yellow fever vaccination card by the Nigerians, has led to a diplomatic row between Nigeria and South Africa.
During a meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Olugbenga Ashiru, at the National Assembly, members of the committee said that only retaliation would stop the mistreatment and harassment Nigerians frequently suffered in South Africa and other countries on the continent.
The Chairman of the committee, Nnena Elendu-Ukeje, observed that the “constant attacks and maltreatment” Nigerians suffered in South Africa did not portray the country as reciprocating Nigeria’s fight against the apartheid era.
He said, “We cannot say that we have a cordial relationship with South Africa if this brotherly relationship does not trickle down to the institutions in that country.
“It is time for us as a country and government to rise and respond appropriately. This excuse that there is xenophobia against Nigerians in South Africa is no longer acceptable; it is time to act.”
Another member of the committee, Mr. Opeyemi Bamidele, suggested that it should be a policy of the Federal Government to “demand respect for our people, not only in Africa but anywhere in the world.”
He noted that cases of mistreatment of Nigerians in South Africa had become rampant to a point where they were the target of attacks during internal crises in that country.
However, Ashiru assured the lawmakers that the Nigerian Government was already addressing their concerns.
Ashiru said, “Our officials started meeting with South Africans on Monday in Pretoria, they have adjourned to continue tomorrow (today).
“I hope you are aware that we have started taking reciprocal action. We sent back 30 of them (South-Africans) yesterday. That is just the first stage.
“We will be giving them measure for measure; we can no longer be taken for a ride. The vice-presidents of both countries will engage in the talks to include broad-based issues beyond the deportation.”
Ashiru said one of the measures Nigeria had taken was that any country which deported Nigerians on flimsy excuses would also have its nationals deported from Nigeria.
“When you deport two Nigerians for flimsy excuses, there will be appropriate responses. The signal must go out to other African countries that Nigeria too can hit back.”
