Concerned about the growing risk of Ebola and other epidemic-prone diseases entering Nigeria, the Senate has called on the Federal Government to strengthen the country’s disease surveillance system and enforce mandatory health screening at all international airports, seaports and designated land borders.

The resolution followed a motion of urgent national importance sponsored by Senator Francis Faduyile, who raised concerns over the spread of the Ebola virus and the danger it poses to Nigeria’s public health system.

Faduyile noted that the outbreak, which began in the Democratic Republic of Congo, has spread to other African countries, including Uganda and Kenya, raising fears that infected travellers could enter Nigeria through third countries.

While acknowledging existing measures by the Federal Government, including health declaration forms and enhanced screening at entry points, the Senate expressed concern that screening requirements have been restricted to travellers from selected countries, a gap it says could weaken the country’s surveillance system.

The upper chamber warned that Nigeria’s existing disease burden, including Lassa fever, cholera and diphtheria, makes it imperative for the country to strengthen its preparedness against another major public health emergency.

The Senate is now urging the Federal Government to provide emergency funding from the service-wide vote to boost disease surveillance and ensure that no traveller slips through the cracks at the nation’s borders.