By By Elizabeth Ugbo
The Federal Government has approved the release of N21.2 million to each state to strengthen preparedness against Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) and other emerging public health threats. The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Ali Pate, approved the funding on Saturday. The intervention targets all states through the State Outbreak Investigation and Response Fund (S-OIRF). The government aims to improve disease surveillance, emergency response and outbreak preparedness before any Ebola case emerges in Nigeria.
States to Receive Emergency Outbreak Funds
Pate approved the release of 50 percent of each state’s allocation under the S-OIRF. The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare said the funds will strengthen Nigeria’s disease surveillance and emergency response systems.
According to a statement issued by the ministry’s Assistant Director of Information and Public Relations, Ado Bako, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) will disburse the funds through the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF).
Funding Supports National Ebola Preparedness
The approval followed President Bola Tinubu’s earlier release of N10 billion in emergency intervention funds. The money will improve Nigeria’s preparedness for Ebola and other emerging health threats.
The latest intervention also came one day after the inauguration of the Presidential Task Force on Ebola Virus Disease Preparedness. The task force will coordinate national efforts to prevent an outbreak and strengthen emergency response.
Government Focuses on Prevention
Speaking during the inauguration, the Chairman of the Presidential Task Force, Femi Gbajabiamila, said prevention remains the government’s priority.
“Nigeria must not be caught off guard. Right now, there is no reported case, and that is good news. All hands must be on deck to ensure that the measures we are taking are preventive and not curative,” he said.
The ministry also confirmed that Nigeria has no reported Ebola case. However, it stressed the need to remain prepared for any future outbreak.
States Must Strengthen Response Systems
Bako explained that the funds form part of a broader national health security strategy. He said states should improve disease surveillance, update preparedness plans and strengthen rapid response teams.
He added that the funding complements the work of the multi-sectoral Presidential Task Force on Ebola Preparedness and Other Health Threats.
Minister Demands Accountability
Pate directed all beneficiary states to account for both current and previously released outbreak response funds within six months.
He also instructed states to follow all financial management, reporting 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,” Pate said.
The minister reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to protecting national health security through sustained investments in disease prevention, preparedness and coordinated emergency response.
