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By Folasade Akpan
The Federal Government has urged Nigerians to practise self-care, including regular hand hygiene and appropriate disinfection, to support efforts to contain Ebola virus disease following confirmation of an imported case in Abuja.
The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Iziaq Salako, made the call on Tuesday in Abuja at the inaugural National Self-Care Conference 2026, themed “Self-Care Puts Your Health in Your Hands: Test. Track. Thrive.”
Salako emphasised the importance of individual responsibility in preventing and controlling infectious diseases, urging Nigerians to adopt healthy practices and cooperate with public health officials to contain Ebola.
“Let me emphasise that self-care is also important in the prevention and control of infectious diseases, including Ebola viral disease, which Nigeria is currently working hard to contain, following one imported case that was reported.
“I therefore use this opportunity to call on the Nigerian public to observe self-care, like hand hygiene, appropriate disinfection, and cooperate fully with public health officials to contain the reported Ebola in this case,” he said.
He said self-care empowered people with the knowledge, skills and tools to take charge of their health while extending healthcare beyond hospitals and clinics into homes, workplaces and communities.
According to him, self-care complemented professional healthcare rather than replacing it or absolving the government of its responsibility to provide accessible, affordable and quality health services.
“As government, therefore, we will continue to promote investment in health facilities, skilled personnel, essential medicines, and functional referral systems,” he said.
Salako said self-care could strengthen primary healthcare, advance universal health coverage and improve outcomes in maternal and reproductive health, non-communicable diseases and mental well-being.
He explained that “Test” encouraged people to establish their health status, “Track” promoted consistent monitoring of health indicators and treatment adherence, while “Thrive” represented the goal of healthier individuals, stronger families and more resilient communities.
The minister urged state governments to integrate evidence-based self-care into health policies and programmes, while calling on healthcare professionals to guide its safe use and development partners to support sustainable financing and capacity development.
The Special Adviser to the President on Health, Dr Salma Anas, said self-care should be promoted alongside effective regulation, quality services and accountability to prevent unsafe practices and ensure people received appropriate support.
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