Health

Nigeria must be intentional in health system approaches- Pate

Published

2 months ago

November 27, 2024

The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate, has emphasised the need for Nigeria to be more intentional in its health system approaches to tackle health challenges.

He made the statement at the Society for Family Health’s (SFH) 40th-anniversary celebration and book presentation in Abuja on Tuesday.

Pate, represented by Mr Chinedu Moghalu, highlighted the importance of proactive and strategic actions to ensure the health of all Nigerians.

He noted that global health challenges, such as pandemics and healthcare inequities, required more intentional approaches.

“This is not the time for reactive measures; instead, we must take proactive, strategic action to ensure the health and wellbeing of all Nigerians.

“Intentionality serves as both a reflection on our past achievements and a roadmap for future progress.

“Over the past 40 years, we have learned valuable lessons that will guide our efforts to address the health challenges of today and tomorrow.

“As we strive to achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC), reduce maternal mortality, and build stronger health systems, the Society for Family Health (SFH) will remain a vital partner in Nigeria’s health transformation.”

He emphasised the importance of local ownership and community-driven health interventions.

He added that the partnerships have enabled SFH to achieve remarkable progress in areas such as HIV prevention, malaria control, and reproductive health.

“What makes SFH’s partnership model unique is its focus on local ownership.

“SFH has partnered not only with international organisations but also with state and local governments, ensuring that health interventions are rooted in local contexts and driven by the communities they serve.

“This approach has been critical in ensuring that healthcare solutions are effective and sustainable in the long term.”

He commended the organisation’s ability to operate in Nigeria’s most challenging regions, providing healthcare in conflict-affected areas in the Northeast and building health resilience in the Northwest.

Looking ahead, Pate emphasised the importance of partnerships in implementing the National Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative (NHSRII).

SFH’s Managing Director, Dr Omokhudu Idogho, reflected on the organisation’s 40-year journey, highlighting its commitment to partnership, strong guidance, and leadership.

He noted that SFH had been renewing itself internally to respond to emerging challenges.

“We achieved this by acquiring the necessary talent, revising and developing internal systems that are more resilient and responsive to emerging challenges, and building new capabilities.

“We began by focusing on family planning, and as HIV emerged, we developed new capabilities to address it.

“When maternal mortality became a pressing issue, we again adapted and built new capabilities to address this challenge.”

Idogho shared SFH’s vision to continue innovating in areas such as supply chain, human resources for health, data systems, and health financing.

He added that capability was also being built on a public-private model for service delivery.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Society for Family Health (SFH) is a pan-African non-governmental organization founded in 1983 by Prof. Olikoye Ransome-Kuti, Malam Dahiru Wali, and Justice Ifeyinwa Nzeako.

(NAN)

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Health

Nigeria On Alert After Ebola Outbreak Confirmed In Uganda – NCDC DG

Published

2 days ago

February 3, 2025

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

Director-General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), Dr. Jide Idris, has announced that the country is on high alert following the confirmation of an Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) outbreak in Uganda.

He disclosed this on Sunday during an interview in Abuja.Idris stated that while Nigeria has no reported cases of Ebola, the NCDC, in collaboration with key stakeholders, has heightened surveillance measures to prevent the virus from being imported into the country.He explained that the outbreak, caused by the Sudan strain of the virus, was confirmed by Uganda’s Ministry of Health on January 30, 2025.“So far, one case and one death have been reported in Wakiso, Mukono, and Mbale City in Mbale District.

“Ugandan health authorities are currently tracking 44 contacts to curb further spread,” he added.In response to the outbreak, Idris said that the NCDC has taken several measures, including updating its Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) emergency contingency plan, increasing screening at points of entry—particularly international airports—and optimizing diagnostic capacity for EVD testing in designated laboratories.He added that the agency has also mobilized Lassa fever testing laboratories, which can be scaled up for Ebola testing if needed.

The NCDC Director-General assured Nigerians that proactive steps were being taken to mitigate any risk of an outbreak.

“While there is no immediate cause for panic, we must remain vigilant. The Ebola Sudan strain has no approved vaccine, making early detection and containment critical,” he said.

He urged Nigerians to follow key preventive measures, including practicing good hand hygiene by washing hands regularly with soap and water or using hand sanitizers.He advised avoiding contact with individuals showing symptoms such as fever, weakness, vomiting, and unexplained bleeding, as well as refraining from consuming bushmeat, particularly bats and primates.

“Seek immediate medical attention if you experience symptoms after traveling to an affected country,” he emphasized.

Additionally, Idris called on health workers to maintain a high index of suspicion, use personal protective equipment (PPE), and report suspected cases immediately.Idris noted that while the World Health Organization (WHO) has not recommended travel restrictions, he advised Nigerians to avoid non-essential travel to countries with confirmed Ebola cases

“Travelers returning from affected countries in the last 21 days with symptoms such as fever, sore throat, vomiting, or unexplained bleeding should immediately call the NCDC toll-free number (6232) or their State Ministry of Health hotline,” he emphasized.

Beyond Ebola, he highlighted that Nigeria is currently battling outbreaks of Lassa fever, meningitis, diphtheria, Mpox, measles, and anthrax.Idris reaffirmed the NCDC’s commitment to strengthening surveillance and response efforts across the country.Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) is caused by the Ebola virus, which belongs to the Filoviridae family.There are five known strains of the virus, with the Zaire strain being the most deadly, followed by the Sudan strain.

Ebola is transmitted through direct contact with bodily fluids of infected individuals (blood, vomit, sweat, feces, saliva), contaminated objects, or infected animals.

The virus can spread through handling bushmeat, such as bats and primates, which are often carriers.Symptoms typically begin 2-21 days after exposure and include fever, fatigue, muscle pain, headache, sore throat, vomiting, diarrhea, rash, and unexplained bleeding or bruising.

As the disease progresses, organ failure and death may occur.Ebola outbreaks have occurred sporadically in several African countries, with the largest outbreak happening in West Africa between 2014 and 2016. The virus remains a public health concern in countries with known endemic transmission.

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