The National Assembly has called for compulsory health screening of all international passengers arriving in Nigeria through airports, seaports and designated land borders following the confirmation of an Ebola case in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Both the Senate and House of Representatives also urged the
Federal Government to release emergency funds from the Service-Wide Votes to
strengthen the country's preparedness and response to the disease.
The resolutions followed Tuesday's confirmation of an Ebola
virus disease case in Abuja.
In the Senate, the decision came after a motion of urgent
national importance sponsored by the lawmaker representing Ondo South, Senator
Francis Faduyile, who expressed concern over the possibility of further Ebola
infections entering Nigeria.
Faduyile, a former president of the Nigerian Medical
Association (NMA), warned that the outbreak of the Bundibugyo strain in the
Democratic Republic of the Congo and its reported spread to other African
countries posed a significant public health threat.
He recalled that Ebola was introduced into Nigeria through
the Lagos airport by an infected traveller in July 2014, stressing the need to
strengthen surveillance at international entry points.
The senator also identified weaknesses in existing screening
arrangements, including limited health declaration requirements, inadequate
Port Health personnel and equipment, and outdated quarantine legislation.
He warned that Nigeria's healthcare system, already dealing
with Lassa fever, cholera and diphtheria, could face additional pressure if
another epidemic spreads.
Senate Demands Compulsory Screening, Isolation Facilities
Following deliberations, the Senate urged the Federal
Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control
and Prevention (NCDC), and Port Health Services to introduce mandatory
screening for all international arrivals.
The proposed measures include compulsory health declaration
forms, temperature checks and screening for symptoms associated with infectious
diseases.
Passengers who have visited or passed through Ebola-affected
areas within the previous 21 days would undergo enhanced screening,
irrespective of their nationality or country of departure.
The lawmakers also recommended exit screening for departing
passengers during declared public health emergencies.
The Senate called on the health ministry, Federal Airports
Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) to ensure
that international entry points have sufficient trained health personnel,
thermal scanners, protective equipment and isolation facilities.
It further urged authorities to ensure that isolation and
treatment centres are prepared across the 36 states and the FCT.
Relevant Senate committees were directed to engage
responsible agencies, inspect major entry points and submit their findings
within four weeks.
The Committee on Legislative Compliance was also tasked with
monitoring implementation of the resolutions.
The lawmakers additionally encouraged the provision of hand
sanitisers at event centres, educational institutions, workplaces and other
public locations.
Senators Seek Review of Quarantine Laws
Contributing to the debate, Senator Adamu Aliero,
representing Kebbi Central, said the health ministry had already begun
implementing several of the proposed measures but stressed the importance of
maintaining vigilance.
Senate Chief Whip Tahir Monguno called for a review of
Nigeria's quarantine legislation to reflect contemporary public health
challenges and international standards.
The motion also highlighted the need for modern legislation
consistent with the International Health Regulations (2005).
Senator Ekong Samson of Akwa Ibom South supported the
motion, warning that an uncontrolled outbreak could spread rapidly and disrupt
activities across the country.
Similarly, Senator Sadiq Umar, representing Kwara North,
advocated a coordinated response involving multiple government agencies to
prevent further transmission.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio criticised what he
described as insufficient urgency within the aviation sector and called for
stronger preventive measures.
"We have to be proactive; everybody must take part. If
it spreads, it will be a major problem. This is a medical emergency, a very
deadly one," Akpabio said.
The National Assembly's intervention comes amid growing
concern over Nigeria's Ebola preparedness, with lawmakers pressing for stronger
border surveillance, adequate emergency funding and coordinated action to
prevent further infections.
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