Coronavirus: FG Disburses N386m to Health Agencies

• Coronavirus: FG Disburses N386m to Health Agencies

In a bid to strengthen Nigerian health agencies as the world battles a novel coronavirus, the Federal Government has disbursed N386 million to two health agencies to prevent the virus and monitor travelers coming into the country.

Mr Abdulaziz Mashi Abdulaziz, Permanent Secretary, the Federal Ministry of Health, disclosed this to pressmen while providing updates on the preparedness for Coronavirus and Lassa Fever in the Country in Abuja on Friday.

Abdullaziz explained that the stated amount was released by the government in two batches.

“While the first batch of N71 million was released at the end of January to facilitate activities of the Port Health Services department of the ministry, the second was released after the Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire, said the government had budgeted N620 million to curtail the virus from entering Nigeria when he appeared before the Senate Committee on Health.

“It is true that intervention was sought from the presidency and the Ministry of Finance and Budget Planning. This is because of the level of the emergency. I can confirm to you that N71million was released to the Port Health Services division of the (health) ministry.

“The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control was also given N315m directly. Other requests are in the pipeline and yet to be released,” he said.