The Federal Government has stepped up its response to a confirmed case of Ebola in Nigeria, according to various sources. On October 23, multiple media outlets reported that the patient, who was initially admitted to a private hospital in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), is now in isolation and receiving treatment. The patient’s diagnosis was confirmed by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).
The news comes as Nigeria prepares for a potential Ebola outbreak, following the confirmation of the first case in the country since 2014. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the current Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has claimed over 2,000 lives since August 2021. The Nigerian government has been on high alert, with the NCDC conducting surveillance activities and training health workers to identify and respond to suspected cases.
However, the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council has accused former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar of politicising the Ebola response, alleging that the N10bn emergency fund approved by President Tinubu remains untouched. The APC’s claims have been met with criticism, as the government has been praised for its swift and decisive response to the confirmed case.
The Nigerian government has not yet provided a timeline for when the Ebola response will be fully mobilised, but assurances have been made that all necessary resources are being deployed to ensure the safety and well-being of Nigerians.
By
