The Federal Government has approved the release of N21.2 million in outbreak investigation and response funds to each state to strengthen preparedness against Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) and other public health threats.
This is contained in a statement made available to newsmen by Mr Ado Bako, Assistant Director, Information and Public Relations, Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, on Saturday in Abuja.
According to Bako, Prof. Mohammed Pate, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, approved the disbursement of 50 per cent of the State Outbreak Investigation and Response Fund (S-OIRF) allocation.
He said the funds would be released through the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) gateway of the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF).
Bako said the intervention formed part of measures to strengthen Nigeria’s readiness against Ebola and other emerging public health threats.
He added that the approval complemented broader federal government efforts to strengthen national preparedness and response capacities.
According to the statement, the efforts include the activities of the multi-sectoral Presidential Task Force on Ebola Preparedness and Other Health Threats.
Bako said that the task force would be chaired by the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila.