Ebola: Reps Demand Immediate Release of Health Emergency Funds

The House of Representatives has called on the Federal Government to immediately release outstanding funds approved for health agencies to strengthen Nigeria’s preparedness and response to Ebola virus disease.

The lawmakers also urged the government to place federal, state and private health facilities on high alert and intensify preventive measures to reduce the risk of further transmission.

The resolutions followed the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance sponsored by Amobi Ogah, who represents Isuikwuato/Umunneochi Federal Constituency of Abia State, during plenary on Wednesday, October 21.

Moving the motion, Ogah described Ebola as a severe and potentially fatal infectious disease requiring early detection, effective infection prevention and control, and coordinated public health intervention.

He said the reported confirmation of an Ebola case in a woman who arrived in Abuja from Uganda on October 20 required urgent action from relevant authorities.

According to the lawmaker, health authorities had traced 44 contacts linked to the reported case for monitoring, isolation and further testing.

Ogah warned that delays in identifying suspected cases, conducting laboratory investigations, isolating infected persons and tracing their contacts could increase the risk of transmission and put additional pressure on the country’s healthcare system.

He also expressed concern over inadequate public awareness, shortages of infection prevention and control supplies, gaps in healthcare workers’ preparedness and limited emergency response capacity.

The House subsequently urged the Federal Government, through the Ministry of Finance, to release all outstanding appropriated funds to relevant health agencies without further delay.

The lawmakers said timely access to the funds was necessary to support disease surveillance, laboratory testing, contact tracing and other emergency response activities.

They also called on the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) to assess additional funding requirements for an effective response, taking current epidemiological evidence and public health guidance into account.

The House further emphasised the need for coordination among federal and state health authorities, port health services and other relevant agencies, as well as cooperation with the World Health Organisation and regional public health institutions.

As part of its oversight measures, the House mandated its Committee on Infectious Diseases to engage relevant ministries, departments, agencies and public health institutions to obtain updates on the situation and Nigeria’s preparedness.

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

The intervention comes as Nigeria intensifies public health surveillance following the reported case. Health authorities’ ability to monitor contacts, identify any additional infections and provide timely care remains central to containing potential transmission.