Nigeria’s Senate has rejected a proposal for lawmakers to inspect major entry points following the confirmation of an Ebola case in Abuja, instead urging the federal government to immediately release emergency funds to contain the outbreak.
The lawmakers adopted the resolutions on Wednesday while debating a motion sponsored by Francis Faduyile (APC, Ondo South), which called for mandatory health screening at international airports, seaports and designated land borders.
Nigeria confirmed an Ebola case on Tuesday involving a woman who arrived on an international flight from Uganda. She is receiving treatment in isolation at a private hospital in the Federal Capital Territory.
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Pate, said 44 contacts of the patient had been identified for tracing and monitoring.
Senate rejects inspection plan
Moving the motion, Faduyile, a professor of medicine, called for stronger surveillance to prevent further transmission, noting that no approved vaccine was available for the strain responsible for the outbreak.
He recommended health declaration forms, temperature checks and symptom assessments for international arrivals, alongside enhanced screening for passengers who had visited or transited through affected areas within the previous 21 days.
He also urged authorities to equip entry points with trained health officers, thermal scanners, protective equipment and isolation facilities, while ensuring functional isolation and treatment centres across all 36 states and the FCT.
However, Senate President Godswill Akpabio opposed the proposal for lawmakers to visit major entry points, arguing that the exercise was unnecessary and could expose them to the virus. Most senators voted against the proposal.
Senators demand urgent funding
Contributing to the debate, Ekong Sampson, who represents Akwa Ibom South, called for a stronger health system, while Sadiq Umar of Kwara North urged the government to deploy technology to improve contact tracing and prevent further infections.
Adamu Aliero (APC, Kebbi Central) called for the immediate release of emergency funds from the Service Wide Vote, warning against waiting for previously approved budgetary allocations.
Tahir Monguno (APC, Borno North) also advocated an amendment to the Quarantine Act of 1926 to strengthen Nigeria’s legal framework for tackling disease outbreaks.
The Senate further proposed that relevant committees inspect major entry points and submit a report within four weeks to guide legislative action. The measures are aimed at strengthening border health surveillance and containing the outbreak.
Comments
Add a comment