Nigeria’s N10 billion emergency health allocation is intended to strengthen the country’s response to several infectious diseases, rather than serve as a dedicated fund for containing Ebola, the Director-General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), Jide Idris, has said.

According to TVC News, Idris disclosed this while responding to questions at an investigative session of a House of Representatives joint committee examining issues surrounding infectious diseases, healthcare services, aviation and interior affairs.

He identified Lassa fever, cholera, diphtheria, measles, monkeypox and cerebrospinal meningitis, as well as antimicrobial resistance, as other public health concerns covered by the intervention.

The NCDC chief said the funding would help improve the country’s ability to prevent disease outbreaks, identify emerging threats early and mobilise effective responses when emergencies occur.

He also told lawmakers that 12 laboratories in Nigeria have received certification to conduct Ebola diagnostic tests, indicating the country’s existing capacity for laboratory confirmation of suspected cases.

The clarification addresses questions surrounding the scope of the N10 billion approval by President Bola Tinubu, which had attracted public attention amid concerns about Ebola preparedness.