An Ebola scare gripped the National Assembly on Wednesday as Senate President Godswill Akpabio disclosed that several senators declined to shake hands with him amid concerns over the confirmed Ebola case in the Federal Capital Territory.
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Akpabio made the disclosure during the Senate’s consideration of a motion on measures to prevent the spread of the virus and strengthen Nigeria’s response to epidemic-prone diseases.
According to the Senate President, the reluctance of some lawmakers to exchange handshakes underscored the level of concern generated by the outbreak and the need for urgent preventive measures.
The debate also took an unusual turn when Senator Adams Oshiomhole proposed that senators who were absent from Wednesday’s sitting should undergo screening before being allowed back into the chamber, arguing that their recent movements and travel history could not immediately be established.
Akpabio agreed that precautionary measures were necessary and subsequently directed that medical testing kits be stationed at the entrance to the Senate chamber to screen lawmakers before entry.
The development followed the Federal Government’s confirmation on Tuesday of an Ebola case involving a woman who recently arrived in Nigeria on an international flight and was subsequently isolated at a private hospital in Abuja.
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, had said that 44 people identified as contacts of the patient were being traced and monitored by health authorities.
During Wednesday’s proceedings, the Senate also rejected a proposal for its committees to visit major entry points connected with the country’s Ebola response, with Akpabio arguing that such visits could unnecessarily expose lawmakers to health risks.
The proposal was put to a vote and rejected by the majority of senators.
The upper chamber, however, urged the Federal Government to immediately release emergency funds from the Service Wide Vote to strengthen efforts to contain the virus and prevent further transmission.
The resolutions followed a motion sponsored by Senator Francis Faduyile, representing Ondo South, seeking mandatory health screening at international airports, seaports and designated land borders to guard against Ebola and other epidemic-prone diseases.
Faduyile, a professor of medicine, expressed concern about public safety and called for stronger surveillance at the country’s entry points in line with the International Health Regulations, while cautioning against travel bans or discriminatory measures.
He urged the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention and Port Health Services to make screening compulsory for international arrivals.
According to him, the screening should include health declaration forms, temperature checks and assessments for possible symptoms.
He also proposed enhanced screening for travellers who had visited or transited through Ebola-affected areas within the preceding 21 days, irrespective of their nationality or country of departure.
Faduyile further called for exit screening of departing passengers during any declared public health emergency.
The senator urged the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria and the Nigeria Immigration Service to ensure that entry points are adequately staffed and equipped with trained port health officers, thermal scanners, protective equipment and isolation facilities.
He also called for functional isolation and treatment centres across the 36 states and the FCT.
Faduyile further recommended a review of the Quarantine Act of 1926 to bring Nigeria’s public health framework in line with modern realities and international health regulations.
Although he proposed that Senate committees on Health, Primary Healthcare and Disease Control, Aviation, Interior and Appropriations should work with relevant agencies and visit major entry points before submitting a report within four weeks, the proposed visits were rejected following concerns raised by Akpabio.
Other senators who contributed to the debate backed stronger measures to contain the disease.
Senator Ekong Sampson of Akwa Ibom South called for a stronger health system capable of protecting Nigerians from Ebola and other epidemic-prone diseases.
Senator Sadiq Umar of Kwara North urged the government to deploy appropriate technology to strengthen contact tracing and prevent further transmission.
Senator Adamu Aliero of Kebbi Central described the matter as urgent and called on the Federal Government to release emergency funding from the Service Wide Vote rather than wait for previously budgeted funds to become available.
Senate Chief Whip Tahir Monguno also supported calls for a review of the Quarantine Act.
The Senate’s deliberations came amid heightened concern over the Abuja Ebola case, with lawmakers backing tighter health screening, improved surveillance, emergency funding and stronger preparedness at Nigeria’s borders and other points of entry.
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