Ebola Alert: FG disburses N21.2m to each State for emergency preparedness

The Federal Government has sanctioned the release of N21.2 million to all the States in line with the State Outbreak Investigation and Response Fund (S-OIRF) to boost preparedness against Ebola Virus Disease.

Approval was granted for 50 per cent of the allocated fund to the States in line with efforts to build capacity for strengthening of disease surveillance, emergency preparedness and response in the country.

In a statement released on Saturday by the Assistant Director of Information and Public Relations at the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Ado Bako, the ministry explained that the funds will be dispersed via the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) portal within the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF).

As stated by the ministry, the fund dispersal forms part of a national approach for boosting Nigeria’s preparedness against Ebola virus and other outbreaks despite there being no reported cases in the country.

It is worthy of note that the fund dispersal will enable states to build their capacities in terms of surveillance systems, updating of emergency preparedness plans, rapid response and other forms of resilience to public health emergency situations.

Prof. Pate also directed beneficiary states to account for both current and previously disbursed outbreak response funds within six months, stressing strict compliance with financial management and accountability guidelines.

“This approval reflects our commitment to both health security and accountability. We will continue to support states to strengthen their capacity to prevent, detect and respond to public health threats while ensuring transparency in the use of public resources,” the minister said.

He further reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to safeguarding national health security through sustained investment in disease prevention and coordinated emergency response systems.

The development follows the inauguration of a Presidential Task Force on Ebola Preparedness and Other Health Threats, aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s emergency response framework.

It also comes after President Bola Tinubu approved a separate N10 billion emergency allocation to enhance the country’s preparedness against Ebola and other infectious diseases.

Public health experts have described the measures as proactive steps necessary to sustain Nigeria’s disease surveillance capacity and ensure rapid response to any potential outbreak.