NCDC urges governors to increase funding for Ebola preparedness

Jide Idris, Physician and Director-General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), has called on governors across the 36 States to strengthen funding for health workers and disease surveillance as concerns grow over the resurgence of the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola virus disease in parts of Africa.

Speaking on Thursday at the third Adetokunbo Alakija Memorial Lecture and Induction Ceremony of the Nigerian Society of Travel Medicine in Lagos, Idris said State Governments must complement the Federal Government’s efforts to prevent the virus from entering Nigeria.

BusinessDay reports that although Nigeria has recorded no confirmed Ebola case, the Federal Government has intensified health screening at airports, seaports and land borders as part of nationwide preparedness measures against the disease.

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Idris noted that the NCDC had intensified surveillance and preventive measures at airports and other points of entry, including monitoring, screening and contact-tracing mechanisms, but stressed that stronger support from state governments was crucial.

“The NCDC cannot shoulder the responsibility alone. States must provide adequate funding, strengthen healthcare infrastructure and support frontline health workers who are critical to any outbreak response,” he said.

According to Idris, the agency is engaging governors and state health commissioners through the Nigeria Governors’ Forum to boost preparedness and ensure rapid response capabilities across the country.

Also speaking, Patrick Chukwuma, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Nigerian Society of Travel Medicine, said travel medicine plays a critical role in preventing the cross-border spread of infectious diseases such as Ebola and COVID-19.

Akin Abayomi, Professor and Lagos State Commissioner for Health, said the State had heightened surveillance measures in collaboration with Airport Authorities due to its status as Nigeria’s busiest travel hub.

The event also featured the induction of 52 new members into the society.