The Federal Government has approved fresh funding for state governments as part of efforts to reinforce emergency preparedness against Ebola and other infectious disease threats.
Under the arrangement, each state will receive N21.2 million from the State Outbreak Investigation and Response Fund to strengthen surveillance, outbreak investigation and emergency response capabilities.
The development was disclosed in Abuja on Saturday in a statement issued by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare through its Assistant Director of Information and Public Relations, Ado Bako.
According to the ministry, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Mohammed Pate, authorised the release of half of the approved allocation for the outbreak response fund, with disbursement to be facilitated through the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention under the Basic Health Care Provision Fund.
The ministry said the funding forms part of a broader strategy to improve the country's capacity to tackle infectious disease outbreaks and emerging health challenges before they escalate into major public health emergencies.
It noted that the intervention aligns with ongoing national preparedness measures, including the work of the Presidential Task Force on Ebola Preparedness and Other Health Threats headed by the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila.
While Nigeria has not reported any confirmed Ebola infection, the government said it was taking preventive steps to ensure all states are adequately equipped to respond swiftly to any potential outbreak.
The fund is expected to support activities such as disease monitoring, emergency planning, rapid response coordination and other critical preparedness measures at the state level.
The minister also directed state governments to provide proper accounts of both the newly released funds and previous outbreak response allocations within six months.
He stressed the need for strict adherence to financial regulations, transparency requirements and reporting procedures in the utilisation of the funds.
Pate said the initiative underscored the government's determination to strengthen health security nationwide while maintaining accountability in the management of public resources.
He added that investments in preparedness, early detection and effective response remained essential to protecting Nigerians from future disease outbreaks.
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