The Nigerian Senate has called for mandatory health screening at all entry points into the country amid growing concerns over the spread of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) and reports of a case in Nigeria.
The lawmakers urged the Federal Government to strengthen surveillance and screening measures at airports, seaports and land borders to prevent further transmission of the disease.
The call followed a motion sponsored by Senator Adebayo Faduyile, representing Ondo South Senatorial District, who raised concerns about the risk of Ebola importation and the country’s preparedness to contain a potential outbreak.
Faduyile noted that the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) had rated the risk of importation as high. He also expressed concern over inadequate staffing and equipment at some entry points, warning that Nigeria could face additional pressure while dealing with diseases such as Lassa fever, cholera and diphtheria.
The senator commended the Federal Government for strengthening disease surveillance but stressed the need for more comprehensive preventive measures.
Contributing to the motion, Senators Ekong Samson, Umar Sadik, Mohammed Tahir Monguno, Adamu Aliero and Ali Ndume called on the Federal Ministry of Health and other relevant agencies to make health and symptom screening compulsory for both arriving and departing passengers.
They also urged the government to equip health personnel at entry points with the necessary facilities and establish isolation centres across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The lawmakers further called for the replacement of the Quarantine Act of 1926 with modern legislation capable of addressing current public health emergencies.
In his remarks, Senate President Godswill Akpabio expressed concern over what he described as lapses in health screening at Nigeria’s entry points.
Akpabio cited the case of a traveller from Kenya who, according to him, was not detected at the airport but was identified at a hospital. He said contact tracing subsequently identified 44 contacts.
The Senate President described the development as a wake-up call, urging relevant authorities to strengthen preventive measures and ensure that the country was better prepared to respond to emerging health threats.
He directed the Senate Committee on Judiciary to work with the Committee on Health and relevant ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) to fast-track the amendment of the Quarantine Act.
The Senate also called for the immediate release of funds to relevant agencies to enable them to intensify surveillance, improve screening and strengthen Nigeria’s capacity to respond effectively to the disease.
The lawmakers stressed that coordinated action, adequate funding and improved health infrastructure were essential to preventing a wider public health emergency.
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