Ebola Outbreak: NCDC Approves ₦100,000 Weekly Support for Isolated Persons

 

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has approved an emergency payment of ₦100,000 per person weekly to support individuals isolated or quarantined in connection with the Ebola outbreak in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The Director-General of the agency, Dr Jide Idris, disclosed this during a press briefing on Sunday, explaining that the financial assistance was introduced to address concerns raised by individuals under monitoring over the cost of maintaining themselves and their families.

According to Idris, some of the affected individuals had expressed difficulties meeting basic needs, including feeding and accommodation, while complying with isolation and monitoring requirements.

“We are paying for their accommodation; we are paying for their feeding. Some of them are asking for a stipend to maintain their families,” he said.

The NCDC chief explained that the weekly payment of ₦100,000 per person was intended to provide additional support for their essential needs throughout the isolation period.

He described the intervention as an emergency measure that was not initially included in the agency’s plans but became necessary in response to the evolving situation.

“This was not planned for, but it is an emergency. We will continue to review it as we go along,” Idris added.

The intervention is aimed at easing the financial burden on individuals required to remain in isolation or quarantine while public health authorities undertake monitoring and response measures relating to the outbreak.

The agency said the arrangement would be reviewed as the situation develops.