Let's hear it for Nigeria
Let's hear it for Nigeria: it has acted swiftly and competently against ebola.
Much credit goes to the private clinic that identified that a Liberian patient who had just arrived in the country was suffering from the disease, and not from malaria, which had been suspected.
They stopped him discharging himself - despite remonstrations by embassy officials - and though he subsequently died, as did several heroic members of staff, a huge campaign followed to track down and check all the possible contacts.
A thorough tracing drive initially set out to contact 281 people, but the number rapidly rose to 26,000 households. Partly as a result, the overall number of ebola deaths in the country has been restricted to eight.
It's all been done with bravery, organisation and efficiency.
Two areas of Guinea, with even fewer resources than Nigeria, have also achieved success in blocking the spread of the disease.
Yes, money, kit and staff are required for health services, but Nigeria and Guinea have shown that much can be achieved with dedication, organisation and good leadership.
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