By Aaron Ossai
The House of Representatives has called on the Federal Government to immediately release outstanding budgetary allocations to health agencies and strengthen emergency response measures following the confirmation of an Ebola Virus Disease case in Abuja.
The lawmakers also urged the government to place federal and state health institutions, as well as private healthcare providers, on high alert to prevent further transmission of the disease.
The resolutions followed the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance sponsored by Hon. Amobi Ogah, representing Isuikwato/Umunneochi Federal Constituency of Abia State, during Wednesday’s plenary.
Leading debate on the general principles of the the motion, Ogah described Ebola as a severe and potentially fatal infectious disease requiring early detection, strict infection prevention and control measures, and coordinated public health intervention to protect lives.
He expressed concern over the confirmation of the case in a woman who arrived in Abuja from Uganda on October 20, 2026, adding that health authorities had identified 44 contacts for isolation and further testing.
The lawmaker warned that delays in identifying suspected cases, conducting laboratory tests, isolating infected persons, tracing contacts and providing timely medical care could increase the risk of transmission and place additional pressure on Nigeria’s healthcare system.
He also identified inadequate public awareness, shortages of infection prevention supplies, gaps in healthcare workers’ preparedness and limited emergency response capacity as potential obstacles to containing the disease.
Ogah stressed the need for effective collaboration among 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 ministries of health, port health authorities and other relevant agencies.
He further emphasised the importance of coordination with the World Health Organisation and other regional and international public health institutions to ensure that Nigeria’s response measures are guided by scientific evidence and international health regulations.
Adopting the motion unanimously at a session presided over by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, the House called for the immediate mobilisation of public and private health institutions to strengthen surveillance and emergency preparedness.
The lawmakers specifically urged the Federal Government, through the Ministry of Finance, to release all outstanding appropriated funds to relevant health agencies without further delay.
According to the House, the funding is essential to enable the agencies to carry out their responsibilities effectively, particularly as the country intensifies surveillance, contact tracing, laboratory testing and other emergency interventions.
The House also urged the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and the NCDC to assess the additional resources required to strengthen the country’s preparedness and response capacity in line with prevailing epidemiological evidence and public health guidelines.
As part of its oversight responsibilities, the House mandated its Committee on Infectious Diseases to engage relevant ministries, departments, agencies and public health institutions to obtain updates on the outbreak and evaluate measures being taken to prevent further transmission.
The committee is expected to report its findings to the House for further legislative action.
