Ebola: FG Warns 15 States to Fast-Track Preparedness as Hospitals Ready Isolation Beds

The Federal Government has warned 15 states to urgently strengthen their preparedness for a possible spread of Ebola Virus Disease, directing hospitals nationwide to provide isolation beds and reinforce infection prevention measures.

The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate, gave the directive in Abuja while briefing journalists on the government’s response to the outbreak following the confirmation of an imported Ebola case in the Federal Capital Territory.

Pate disclosed that 21 states had updated their Ebola response plans and strengthened their preparedness, while the remaining 15 states were yet to complete the necessary arrangements.

He urged the affected states to accelerate efforts to establish effective response mechanisms, warning that preparedness across the country was essential to preventing further transmission.

The minister said the Federal Government was coordinating the national response through the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), with support from the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention.

“We have notified all our hospitals to make room for bed capacity, isolation, and prepare their health workers in terms of infection prevention in these cases, because health workers are on the front lines,” Pate said.

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He added that the government was engaging state governments and the Federal Capital Territory authorities to ensure that healthcare facilities were adequately equipped to identify, isolate and manage suspected cases.

The directive comes amid intensified contact tracing, surveillance and emergency preparedness following the confirmation of the imported case in the FCT.

Pate, however, urged Nigerians not to panic, assuring them that the country had the public health institutions and expertise required to contain the outbreak.

“We don’t want it to go beyond it, and there is no need to panic, but we have to be vigilant,” he said.

The minister explained that the response involved monitoring individuals who had contact with the infected woman, strengthening laboratory capacity and ensuring that healthcare workers strictly observed infection prevention and control protocols.

He disclosed that the government had activated its incident management system, with the NCDC coordinating operations alongside FCT authorities and other relevant agencies.

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Pate also announced plans to meet with state commissioners of health on Friday, with commissioners of information expected to participate in efforts to coordinate public communication and emergency response measures.

He emphasised the importance of private hospitals in detecting and reporting suspected infections, noting that the infected woman had sought treatment at a private healthcare facility before the diagnosis was confirmed.

“The private sector is important because, as you saw, this case went to a private facility. In 2014, it was a private facility,” he said.

He urged private healthcare providers to remain alert to symptoms associated with Ebola, particularly among patients with relevant travel histories or possible exposure, and to promptly notify public health authorities rather than manage suspected cases without reporting them.

The minister further disclosed that additional funds had been made available to the NCDC to strengthen the national response, while international health partners continued to provide technical support.

The government had also invited renowned genomics expert, Prof. Christian Happi of Redeemer’s University, Ede, to support investigations into the virus, including genomic sequencing to improve understanding of the strain involved.

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The current outbreak is linked to the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola virus, which differs from the Zaire ebolavirus responsible for the major West African outbreak of 2014 to 2016.

Pate advised Nigerians experiencing symptoms such as fever, headache and muscle aches, particularly those with a relevant travel history or possible exposure, to isolate themselves and promptly contact public health authorities.

FG assures Nigerians of capacity to contain outbreak

Speaking at the 161st meeting of the National Economic Council (NEC), chaired virtually by Vice President Kashim Shettima, Pate reiterated that Nigeria had the capacity to manage the situation.

According to a statement issued by the Senior Special Assistant to the Vice President on Media and Communications, Stanley Nkwocha, the minister identified coordination, detection at points of entry, laboratory testing, logistics for essential supplies and personal protective equipment, as well as effective public communication, as critical components of the response.

He said most states had developed their preparedness plans with guidance from the NCDC, while those yet to complete theirs had been directed to do so urgently.

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“The Federal Government has competent authorities to deal with this. We have done it in 2014, and we have good public health institutions. Nigerians should be reassured,” Pate said.

He urged the public to rely on information from trusted sources and avoid spreading misinformation and rumours about the outbreak.

FG intensifies public enlightenment

Meanwhile, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has directed agencies under his ministry to intensify public awareness campaigns following the confirmation of the Ebola case in the FCT.

Idris instructed the National Orientation Agency, Nigerian Television Authority, Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, Voice of Nigeria and News Agency of Nigeria to educate Nigerians on the disease, its transmission and preventive measures.

In a statement issued on Thursday by his Special Assistant on Media, Rabiu Ibrahim, the minister said accurate and timely information was crucial to containing the outbreak and preventing unnecessary panic.

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“The Federal Government is taking every necessary step to contain this case and protect Nigerians. Accurate and timely information is one of our strongest defences,” Idris said.

He directed the agencies to work with the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and the NCDC to ensure that all public information on the outbreak was verified and evidence-based.

The National Orientation Agency was also tasked with mobilising its nationwide offices to conduct grassroots sensitisation in collaboration with traditional rulers, religious leaders, community groups and the media.

The ministry said it would partner with broadcast organisations to disseminate verified health information, produce public enlightenment jingles and develop educational materials in Nigerian languages.

Idris urged Nigerians to remain calm, follow official health advisories and avoid sharing unverified information on social media.

He also advised members of the public to report suspected cases through the NCDC’s toll-free, 24-hour emergency line on 6232.

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