By Anayo Akwitti
The Senate has called on the Federal Government to strengthen health screening at Nigeria’s international airports and borders to prevent the possible spread of Ebola Virus Disease into the country.
The resolution followed a motion of urgent public importance moved on Wednesday by Senator Francis Faduyile, representing Ondo South, who called for urgent measures to protect Nigerians against the threat of cross-border transmission.
Faduyile also urged the Federal Government to repeal and replace the Quarantine Act of 1926, describing the legislation as outdated and inadequate to address contemporary public health emergencies.
Contributing to the debate, Senate President Godswill Akpabio expressed concern over what he described as weaknesses in health screening operations at Nigeria’s international airports.
Akpabio stressed the need for stricter screening protocols, warning that lapses at entry points could expose Nigerians to dangerous infectious diseases.
The Senate further urged the Federal Government, through the Ministry of Finance, to release emergency funds to strengthen disease surveillance, screening operations and other measures aimed at containing the Ebola threat.
The Red Chamber subsequently referred the motion to its Committee on Health and Communicable Diseases to monitor compliance with screening measures at international airports and report back to the Senate.
NASS
