CEO of Nisa Medical Group, Dr Ibrahim Wada, has said that details of suspected fever patients should remain private.
He explained that revealing such information without cause could lead to stigma and discourage people from seeking medical care.
He stressed that only epidemic-prone diseases such as Ebola, Marburg, and Lassa fever require mandatory reporting.
Wada made the call on Monday in Abuja during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria, following reports of a suspected viral haemorrhagic fever case at one of his hospitals.
The Director-General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), Dr Jide Idris, supported the position, confirming that two recent suspected cases in Abuja tested negative for Ebola and Marburg, while further checks continue for Lassa fever and Dengue fever.
Idris praised a traveller from Kigali who reported early to a private hospital in Abuja when he felt sick.
He said the traveller’s action, along with the vigilance of doctors, reduced risks and allowed the public health system to respond quickly.
He urged Nigerians to practise good hygiene, avoid rumours, and report suspected cases through official hotlines, WhatsApp, SMS, or email.