The Healthcare Federation of Nigeria (HFN) has urged private hospitals and clinics nationwide to strengthen infection prevention measures and promptly report suspected Ebola cases following the confirmation of an infection in the Federal Capital Territory.

In a statement on Wednesday, the federation called on private healthcare providers to review their preparedness arrangements and work closely with public health authorities to contain the infection.

The appeal followed the Federal Government’s confirmation of an Ebola case in the FCT on Tuesday. The patient, a woman who recently arrived in Nigeria on an international flight from Uganda, received treatment at a private hospital before laboratory tests confirmed the infection. She was subsequently placed in isolation.

The Guardian had earlier reported that authorities identified 44 close contacts, including healthcare workers, patients, caregivers and travel contacts, and began contact tracing. The government also intensified surveillance and directed healthcare facilities nationwide to remain on alert.

HFN said frontline personnel should understand current public health guidance and follow established procedures for identifying, isolating and referring suspected cases safely.

“Early recognition, prompt reporting and adherence to established procedures for the safe identification, isolation and referral of suspected cases are essential to an effective response,” the federation said.

It urged facilities to ensure that staff know the appropriate reporting channels and referral procedures, adding that providers should seek guidance from public health authorities whenever concerns arise.

According to HFN, these steps would support early action and reduce the risk of exposing other patients and healthcare workers.

The federation commended the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), FCT health authorities and their partners for the response measures underway.

It said preparedness across all levels of the health system remained necessary to protect patients, healthcare workers and the public.

HFN also urged healthcare providers and residents to remain calm, obtain verified information from authorised public health agencies and avoid speculation or discrimination against affected individuals.

“HFN encourages healthcare providers and the public to remain calm, rely on verified information from the NCDC and other authorised public health authorities, and avoid speculation or the stigmatisation of affected individuals,” it said.

The federation said it would support the response through its recent Memorandum of Cooperation with NCDC and PharmAccess, which seeks to strengthen disease surveillance reporting by private healthcare facilities.

The agreement, signed in Abuja in September, established a pilot to test automated reporting into the national disease surveillance system. It aims to improve the quality, completeness, and timeliness of reports while reducing the reporting burden on participating facilities.

HFN said it would engage private providers and promote stronger integration of their facilities into the national surveillance system.

Its appeal comes as Ogun State intensified surveillance following the FCT case. The state government said no case had been recorded in Ogun as of Wednesday, October 21, and urged residents to remain vigilant.