President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the release of N10 billion for emergency preparedness against Ebola and other public health threats, alongside the establishment of a Presidential Emergency Preparedness and Response Committee.
According to a statement issued on Tuesday by the President's Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the fund will strengthen the capacity of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) and support nationwide measures to prevent and respond to potential outbreaks.
The committee, to be chaired by the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, was constituted following renewed Ebola outbreaks in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda.
As part of the response measures, the Federal Government has directed stricter health screening at international airports, including temperature checks and enhanced monitoring of passengers arriving from countries considered high-risk.
The government also plans to establish isolation and referral centres at the Lagos and Abuja international airports, with plans to extend the initiative to other airports across the country.
President Tinubu further directed states with international airports and major entry points to submit their preparedness plans and funding requirements to ensure a coordinated national response.
The committee has also been tasked with working with relevant agencies to strengthen surveillance, improve border health security, and recommend additional measures aimed at preventing the importation and spread of the disease in Nigeria.Category: Health / Public Health Emergency.
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