The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) has called on the Federal Government to provide dedicated funding, medical supplies and improved healthcare facilities to strengthen Ebola prevention and control measures across correctional centres.
The Service said it was working to improve disease surveillance, infection prevention, emergency response systems, staff training and cooperation with public health agencies following the Ebola Virus Disease outbreak.
However, it stressed that effective disease control in custodial facilities would require adequate government support and the inclusion of correctional institutions in national public health emergency plans.
The Controller-General of Corrections, Sylvester Nwakuche, made the appeal while appearing before a joint House of Representatives committee investigating Nigeria’s preparedness to prevent and contain Ebola.
The public hearing involved the House committees on Infectious Diseases, Healthcare Services, Aviation and Interior. It focused on measures needed by the executive arm of government to strengthen medical preparedness and prevent the spread of the virus.
Nwakuche assured lawmakers that the NCoS would continue working with relevant authorities to reduce the risk of infectious disease transmission within correctional facilities.
He explained that an outbreak in a custodial centre could affect inmates, correctional officers, visitors and neighbouring communities.
According to him, overcrowding, shared facilities, frequent human contact and differences in healthcare infrastructure make correctional centres particularly vulnerable to public health threats.
He said protecting inmates and preventing the spread of infectious diseases were central to the Service’s responsibilities and the country’s wider public health efforts.
The Controller-General called for stronger cooperation between the NCoS, the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), and state health authorities.
He also urged the government to provide medical infrastructure, designated isolation areas and emergency referral arrangements across correctional facilities.
Other recommendations included regular training and simulation exercises for correctional officers and healthcare workers, periodic assessments of facilities, and sustained access to technical support and public health information during emergencies.
Nwakuche further called for correctional healthcare facilities to be included in government-funded health programmes and emergency medical support initiatives.
In his remarks, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, said the hearing was designed to assess the country’s level of preparedness, examine the effectiveness of relevant institutions and identify gaps in the legal, financial and operational systems for managing disease outbreaks.
Represented by Hon. Billy Osawaru, the Speaker said the exercise was not intended to apportion blame but to promote accountability and ensure public resources produce measurable results.
He said lawmakers would examine the capacity of disease surveillance systems, laboratories, isolation centres, emergency response facilities and healthcare workers, as well as screening arrangements at airports and border communities.
Tajudeen also emphasised the need for effective coordination among federal, state and local authorities, alongside transparent management and timely release of emergency health funds.
He assured stakeholders that the House would consider recommendations from the hearing and pursue legislative or administrative action where necessary.
Chairman of the Joint Committee, Hon. Amobi Ogah, said the hearing was organised to obtain updates from relevant agencies on the steps taken to contain Ebola and their plans for preventing further transmission.
He specifically raised concerns about screening arrangements at Nigerian airports, noting that international travel could create opportunities for infectious diseases to enter the country.
Ogah also commended the administration of President Bola Tinubu for establishing a Presidential Task Force on the Ebola outbreak and approving ₦10 billion to support containment efforts. He equally praised the NCDC for coordinating the national response.
The hearing provided an opportunity for government agencies and other stakeholders to identify preparedness gaps and strengthen measures to protect Nigerians against the outbreak.
