By Saint Mugaga

The House of Representatives has urged the executive to provide the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) with adequate releases as contained in the budget to enable it contain ebola and other diseases.

The House made the appeal after adopting a motion of urgent national importance sponsored by Hon. Amobi Ogah (NDC, Imo).

In adopting the motion, the House also urged the Port Health Authorities to intensify cross-border surveillance and checks to prevent infiltration of infected persons.

While presenting the motion, Ogah disclosed that on 15th May 2026, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) reported an outbreak of Ebola
disease in the Ituri Province of the Democratic Republic of Congo (just two steps
from Nigeria).

He said this rare and distinct strain of Ebola virus, the Bundibugyo Strain, is causing a major public health emergency in Central Africa and may spread to other parts of Africa soon because of the porous nature of our borders and lack of strict cross-border checks.

He expressed concerns that this version of the virus currently does not have any licensed vaccines or targeted medical therapies to mitigate it.

“The House should equally note that, on 25th May 2026, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) placed Nigeria at high risk of Ebola importation.

“In the public health advisory issued by the Director General of NCDC, Dr. Jide Idris, ironically stated that the NCDC is intensifying national coordination activities to
strengthen Ebola preparedness and rapid response capacity across the country, and
that the National Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) is on alert mode for emergency preparedness.

“However, it is known that the NCDC received no operational funding in 2025, with no capital releases made to date against the approved 2026 allocation.

“Furthermore, the overhead releases are highly epileptic and grossly inadequate, which is in direct violation of basic international standards and constitutes an abuse of the
Appropriations Acts. How then can the preparedness of the Centre for emergencies
be guaranteed?

“It is worrisome to note that, due to lack of adequate funding, coupled with uncertainty regarding the quantum that will be released this year, the capacity to
fulfill critical health security obligations has significantly weakened.

“We should also bear in mind that this situation is compounded by a marked reduction in external donor support, which previously complemented government financing for outbreak preparedness and response activities.

It is essential to note that, presently, the Centre is experiencing critical challenges, including but not limited to the following: Vendors have not been paid for critical goods and services for over one year.

“If urgent, appropriate funding for the Centre is not immediately met, the strength
and capacity of the NCDC to adequately respond to the resurfacing Ebola threat
and other epidemic-prone diseases cannot be assured, which is extremely
disastrous to Nigeria as a nation”.

Health workers directed to monitor fever, bleeding, and other symptoms; community reporting expanded

By Felix Umande, Makurdi

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention has activated intensified surveillance for travellers arriving from countries experiencing Ebola outbreaks, directing health workers nationwide to monitor individuals who develop symptoms within 21 days of travel.

In updated guidelines issued Monday to health facilities and disease surveillance officers, NCDC said any person with sudden fever plus at least three symptoms associated with Ebola, and a travel history to affected countries within the last 21 days, should be treated as a suspected case and investigated immediately.

The directive comes as Nigeria remains on heightened alert over ongoing outbreaks in parts of Africa, particularly the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda, where health authorities are battling periodic resurgences of the deadly virus.

According to NCDC, suspected cases include individuals with sudden onset of fever and three or more of the following: headache, lethargy, loss of appetite, muscle or joint pain, stomach pain, difficulty swallowing, vomiting, difficulty breathing, diarrhoea, or hiccups. Unexplained bleeding in recent travellers is flagged as a major warning sign requiring urgent public health attention.

The agency also said persons who had contact with a confirmed or probable Ebola patient in the previous 21 days and later develop fever, with or without other symptoms, must be investigated immediately.

The 21-day window aligns with Ebola’s known incubation period.

Beyond travel, NCDC said individuals exposed to wildlife or bushmeat within 21 days and who develop persistent fever unresponsive to routine treatment should also be regarded as suspected cases. Exposure to sick or dead animals and body fluids remains a recognised animal-to-human transmission route.

The agency expanded community-based surveillance and urged residents to report unusual illnesses and sudden unexplained deaths promptly. Under the framework, any persistent fever that fails to respond to treatment, bleeding symptoms, bloody diarrhoea, blood in urine, or sudden unexplained death should be reported immediately to health authorities.

“Any sudden or unexplained death should be considered a priority event for investigation,” the guidelines stated.

NCDC defined a probable case as any suspected case with an epidemiological link to a confirmed case where lab confirmation was not possible. Laboratory confirmation, the agency said, requires positive virus antigen detection through RT-PCR or IgM antibodies against Ebola.

Ebola Virus Disease is transmitted through direct contact with blood, body fluids, organs, or contaminated materials of infected persons. Symptoms start with fever, weakness, muscle pain, and headache before progressing to vomiting, diarrhoea, and in severe cases, internal and external bleeding. WHO puts case fatality rates between 25% and 90% depending on strain and care access.

Health authorities said early reporting, rapid investigation, and strict infection prevention remain critical to keeping Nigeria free of another Ebola outbreak.

_Lenacapavir launch offers two-dose-a-year option for HIV protection

By Felix Umande, Makurdi

Bishop Murray Medical Centre in Makurdi has flagged off the public rollout of injectable PrEP Lenacapavir, introducing a long-acting HIV prevention option that requires just two doses per year.

The launch, held in the hospital’s conference room, brought together health officials, clergy, and community stakeholders to mark what officials described as a major advancement in HIV prevention services in Benue State.

Lenacapavir is a long-acting pre-exposure prophylaxis designed to protect individuals at risk of HIV with biannual injections. Health experts say the option addresses adherence challenges faced by people who find daily oral tablets difficult to maintain.

Dr. John Ahom, who delivered the keynote lecture, explained how Lenacapavir works, its dosing schedule, eligibility criteria, and its potential to reduce barriers to consistent prevention.

“With Lenacapavir, we are moving closer to a future where HIV prevention fits into people’s lives, not the other way around,” Dr. Ahom said.

Rev. Fr. Paleve thanked the Ministry of Health, partners, and staff for their role in making the rollout possible, reaffirming the Church’s commitment to supporting efforts toward an HIV-free society.

The event drew senior figures from the Catholic Church and health sector, including Rev. Fr. Peter Paleve, Health Coordinator of Makurdi Diocese; Rev. Fr. Bernard Unande, Assistant Health Coordinator; Rev. Fr. Simon Friday Mfe, Chaplain of BMMC; Dr. Ngusuur Stella Haanongon, Clinical Mentor; Dr. Obatomi David, CHAI Consultant; and Ugbema Dooter Sonia, State PrEP Focal Person.

Hospital representatives said the introduction of injectable PrEP aligns with national and global targets to reduce new HIV infections by expanding prevention choices. Services at Bishop Murray Medical Centre will be provided free of charge, with confidentiality and dignity assured for eligible clients.

Officials encouraged members of the public at risk of HIV to visit the centre for counseling, screening, and enrollment into the PrEP program.

With the launch, Bishop Murray Medical Centre becomes one of the early adopters of Lenacapavir in Nigeria, positioning Benue State at the forefront of expanded HIV prevention options.