Ebola: NCDC to pay contacts in isolation N100,000 weekly

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has announced an emergency measure to provide weekly financial assistance of N100,000 to individuals placed in isolation or quarantine as part of the efforts to curb the Ebola outbreak in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). Director-General of NCDC, Dr Jide Idris, announced this during a press conference in Abuja on Sunday.

Dr Idris revealed that the decision to introduce the payment was prompted by concerns raised by those affected regarding their ability to meet their basic needs while under observation. The support aims to alleviate the financial strain on these individuals and encourage them to cooperate with health authorities. The NCDC chief clarified that this additional measure was not part of the initial response plan but was necessitated by the concerns voiced by the affected contacts.

Dr Idris emphasized that the situation was unforeseen and that they would continue to assess the situation as it unfolds. In addition to the financial assistance, Dr Idris urged state governments to bolster their financial and logistical preparations for public health emergencies, stressing that the responsibility for managing outbreaks should not solely fall on the FCT.