Lawmakers Push for Release of Health Funds to Tackle Ebola in Nigeria

The House of Representatives has asked the government to quickly release all unpaid funds meant for health agencies. This is to boost Nigeria’s response to Ebola after a case was confirmed in Abuja.

This call came a day after the government announced that a woman who recently came from Uganda tested positive for Ebola virus disease in the Federal Capital Territory.

The patient is now in isolation and receiving treatment at a private hospital in Abuja. Meanwhile, health officials have identified 44 close contacts, including healthcare workers, patients, caregivers, and travel contacts. They will be monitored as part of the contact-tracing effort.

The House called for the urgent mobilization of federal and state health agencies, private healthcare providers, and other relevant institutions. This is to strengthen surveillance and stop further spread of the disease.

The resolutions followed the adoption of a motion of urgent national importance on Wednesday. The motion was titled, ‘Urgent need to strengthen preventive and emergency medical measures against the spread of Ebola virus disease in Nigeria.’ It was sponsored by Amobi Ogah (LP, Abia).

During the debate, Mr Ogah described Ebola as a serious and potentially deadly viral disease. He said it needs early detection, isolation of those infected, effective infection prevention, and good public health response.

He stated that confirming the Abuja case required a fast and joined-up response to stop the infection from spreading. Delays in identifying suspected cases, conducting lab tests, isolating confirmed cases, and providing medical care could raise the risk of transmission and put more strain on the healthcare system.

“Any delay in identifying suspected cases, conducting appropriate laboratory investigations, isolating confirmed cases, tracing contacts, or providing timely medical care could increase the risk of transmission and place additional pressure on the country’s healthcare system,” he said.

Mr Ogah pointed out that health authorities have already started tracing the 44 contacts linked to the confirmed case. Still, he emphasized that monitoring and tracing must continue to find and track others who might have been exposed.

He also expressed worries about low public awareness, a lack of infection control supplies, gaps in healthcare workers’ readiness, and limited emergency response capacity. The lawmaker urged the House to show concern that these issues could weaken efforts to prevent and control the Ebola outbreak.

While adopting the motion, the House called on the federal government, through the Ministry of Finance, to immediately release all outstanding funds to relevant health agencies. This is necessary to improve their readiness and response measures.

It also asked the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention to evaluate the extra resources needed for an effective response. This should consider the current epidemic situation and public health advice.

The lower chamber further called for input from the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, state health ministries, port health authorities, and other relevant agencies to enhance surveillance and epidemic readiness.

It urged the government to collaborate closely with the World Health Organisation (WHO) and other regional and international health bodies. This is to ensure Nigeria’s response is based on the latest scientific evidence and international health rules.

The House then directed its Committee on Infectious Diseases to engage with relevant ministries, departments, agencies, and public health institutions. They are to gather updates on the Ebola situation and Nigeria’s readiness to respond.

The committee is expected to report back to the House for further legislative action.