The senate has urged the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) to intensify surveillance, testing, contact tracing, in line with national outbreak preparedness and response protocols.
This is contained in a motion filed by senatorBanigo Ipalibo representing Rivers West on the urgent need to address Gaps in National Public Health Emergency Preparedness and Response following a confirmed case of Covid – 19 in Cross River state.
Presenting the motion before the Senate plenary senator Ipalibo explained that a confirmed COVID-19 case has been reported in Cross River State involving a 53-year-old foreign national who entered Nigeria on 17th March 2026 via the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos,
She said the victim proceeded to Calabar the same day, developed symptoms on 12th April 2025, and tested positive on 16th April 2026 following PCR confirmation at the National Reference Laboratory.
The lawmaker also notes that epidemiological investigation of the confirmed case indicates a timeline beyond the expected Incubation period, thereby raising public health concerns of possible local transmission within the Federation.
She further said additional suspected cases have been identified and are currently under laboratory investigation with contact tracing ongoing by relevant public health authorities
The senate however urged the Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning to expedite release of funds and consider activation of emergency financing mechanisms for outbreak response;
It also Requested the NCDC to submit a comprehensive report to the Senate on national preparedness status, including stock levels, laboratory capacity, surveillance gaps, and response readiness indicators;
The senate encouraged intensified nationwide public health risk communication to prevent misinformation, reduce public anxiety, and promote adherence to preventive and control measures;
The lawmakers call on State Governments to strengthen subnational outbreak preparedness systems through improved financing, timely procurement of essential supplies, and enhanced support for surveillance and rapid response structures. Cov/ Bashir M
