The House of Representatives has called on the Federal Government to release outstanding funds appropriated for health agencies to strengthen Nigeria’s preparedness and response to Ebola Virus Disease.
The call followed the confirmation of an Ebola case in a woman arriving from Uganda in Abuja on October 20, with health authorities tracing 44 contacts for isolation and further testing.
The resolution was sequel to the adoption of a motion of urgent national importance sponsored by Mr. Amobi Ogah.
The House urged the Federal Government, through the Ministry of Finance, to urgently release the outstanding funds to enable relevant health agencies to carry out their responsibilities effectively.
It also called for the immediate mobilisation of private, state and federal health agencies to remain on high alert to contain the outbreak.
Leading the debate on the motion, Mr. Ogah urged the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) to assess the funding required to strengthen the country’s preparedness and response capacity.
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The motion warned that delays in detecting suspected cases, conducting laboratory investigations, isolating confirmed cases and tracing contacts could increase the risk of transmission and put additional pressure on the healthcare system.
It also raised concerns about inadequate public awareness, shortages of infection prevention and control supplies, gaps in healthcare workers’ preparedness and limited emergency response capacity.
The House recognised the roles of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the NCDC, the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, state ministries of health and port health authorities in strengthening epidemic preparedness and response.
It further stressed the importance of coordination with the World Health Organisation and other international and regional public health institutions.
The House Committee on Infectious Diseases was mandated to engage relevant ministries, departments, agencies and public health institutions to obtain updates on Nigeria’s Ebola situation and response measures.
The committee is expected to report back to the House for further legislative action.
