FG Releases N21.2 Million to Each State to Boost Ebola Preparedness, Disease Surveillance
The Federal Government has approved the release of N21.2 million to each state under the State Outbreak Investigation and Response Fund (S-OIRF) as part of efforts to strengthen preparedness against Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) and other emerging public health threats across Nigeria.
PulseNets learnt that the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Pate, approved the disbursement of 50 per cent of the fund allocation to states to reinforce the country’s disease surveillance, emergency preparedness, and response systems.
According to a statement obtained by PulseNets on Saturday, the Assistant Director of Information and Public Relations at the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Ado Bako, disclosed that the funds would be released through the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) gateway under the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF).
The ministry noted that the intervention forms part of a broader national strategy aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s readiness for Ebola Virus Disease and other potential disease outbreaks, despite the absence of any confirmed Ebola case in the country.
PulseNets reports that the approval is designed to enhance public health emergency preparedness and further bolster the nation’s capacity to prevent and respond to infectious disease outbreaks.
Bako explained that the approval complements the ongoing work of the multi-sectoral Presidential Task Force on Ebola Preparedness and Other Health Threats, chaired by the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila.
He stated that the funds would enable state governments to strengthen disease surveillance mechanisms, update outbreak preparedness plans, improve rapid response systems, and build resilience against public health emergencies.
PulseNets learnt that Prof. Pate directed all beneficiary states to account for both the current allocation and previously disbursed outbreak response funds within six months while ensuring strict compliance with financial management, reporting, and accountability procedures.
“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.
The minister also reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to safeguarding national health security through sustained investments in disease prevention, preparedness, and coordinated emergency response initiatives.
The latest approval comes barely a day after the inauguration of the Presidential Task Force on Ebola Virus Disease Preparedness, established to prevent a possible outbreak and strengthen Nigeria’s emergency response capacity.
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PulseNets further reports that the intervention follows President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s approval of N10 billion in emergency funding aimed at boosting the country’s preparedness against Ebola and other emerging public health threats.
Public health experts have described the Federal Government’s proactive measures as critical to sustaining Nigeria’s disease surveillance system and ensuring a swift and effective response to any future outbreak of Ebola Virus Disease or related health emergencies.
