Ebola: Reps Demand Release of Health Emergency Funds

The House of Representatives has urged the Nigerian Government to release outstanding health funds and strengthen measures to prevent the spread of Ebola Virus Disease following the confirmation of a case in Abuja.

The lawmakers also called for public and private healthcare agencies to be placed on high alert to improve Nigeria’s capacity to detect and contain potential infections.

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

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Presenting the motion, Ogah described Ebola as a potentially fatal infectious disease that requires early detection, effective infection control and coordinated public health intervention to prevent transmission and save lives

“It is extremely disturbing that yesterday, October 20, 2026, an Ebola Virus case was confirmed in a woman arriving from Uganda in Abuja who tested positive. Health authorities traced 44 contacts for isolation and further tests,” he said.

The lawmaker warned that delays in identifying suspected cases, conducting laboratory investigations, isolating infected persons, tracing contacts and providing timely medical care could increase the risk of transmission and put additional pressure on the healthcare system.

He also cautioned that inadequate public awareness, shortages of infection prevention and control supplies, gaps in healthcare workers’ preparedness and limited emergency response capacity could undermine efforts to contain the disease.

Ebola: Reps Demand Release of Health Emergency Funds. Credit: Guardian.

Ogah highlighted the roles of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, state health ministries, port health authorities and other stakeholders in strengthening national epidemic preparedness.

He also stressed the importance of collaboration with the World Health Organisation (WHO) and other regional and international public health institutions to ensure that Nigeria’s preventive and response measures align with current scientific evidence and international health regulations.

“The House is further concerned that inadequate public awareness, insufficient infection prevention and control supplies, gaps in healthcare workers’ preparedness, and limited emergency response capacity could undermine efforts to prevent and contain the Ebola outbreak.

“We recognise the critical roles of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, relevant state ministries of health, port health authorities, and other stakeholders in strengthening national epidemic preparedness and response.

“We acknowledge the importance of coordination with the World Health Organisation and other relevant international and regional public health institutions to ensure that Nigeria’s preventive and response measures are guided by current scientific evidence and international health regulations,” he said.

Presiding over the session, Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu led lawmakers in unanimously adopting the motion.

The House called on the Nigerian Government to mobilise federal, state and private healthcare institutions and place them on high alert to prevent further spread of the virus.

It also urged the government, through the Ministry of Finance, to release all outstanding appropriated funds to relevant health agencies without delay.

The lawmakers said the funding was necessary to enable the agencies to strengthen disease surveillance, contact tracing, laboratory testing and other emergency response activities.