FG Launches 4
FG Launches 4 years Action Plan for Health
Security
The Hon. Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole has reaffirmed
the commitment of Federal Government towards preventing, detecting
and responding to Public Health Emergencies in Nigeria.
The Minister of Health, Prof. Adewole, made this statement
during the launching of the National Action Plan for Health
Security (NAPHS), 2018 – 2022, held in Abuja, recently.
Prof. Adewole noted that ‘’ Nigeria and the rest of the world
continues to be at risk of infectious disease outbreaks and public
health threats. Over the last few years, the country has
experienced outbreaks of infectious diseases such as Lassa fever,
cerebrospinal meningitis, Ebola, as well as a resurgence of yellow
fever and monkeypox.
‘’The current Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo
has been described as the second largest outbreak of the particular
strain, highlighting the need for regional and global
preparedness’’, he added.
He informed that this strategic plan would enable proper
planning, prioritisation and resource mobilisation, to strengthen
health security and public health emergencies capacity in
Nigeria.
“This plan is a significant investment aimed at enhancing our
preparedness and response strategy. Outbreaks in the last few years
have reinforced the need to institute safeguards that will ensure
that as a nation, we are better prepared at all times to deal
swiftly and decisively with issues pertaining to health security’’,
he said.
He pointed out that ‘’This process has been coordinated by the
Nigeria Centre for Disease Control as the Country’s International
Health Regulations (IHR, 2005) national focal point, with support
from the World Health Organisation (WHO) and other partners’’.
The Minister stressed that the launch of the National Action
Plan is not the end of the process.
“The success of NAPHS will depend on the implementation of the
priority actions. We often emphasise that health security involves
not only the health sector, but all sectors working towards
national security. It gives me great joy that for the first time in
this country and under the leadership of President Muhammadu
Buhari, we have brought together all players involved in protecting
the health of Nigerians – within and outside the health
sector.”
To this end, the NAPHS follows an intensive Joint External
Evaluation (JEE) of the country’s IHR capacities, carried out in
2017. The NAPHS outlines activities that will enhance coordination
across Nigeria’s MDAs with a role to play in health security, and
build capacities across 19 technical areas.
In his remarks, the Director- General, Nigeria Centre for Disease
Control (NCDC), Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu, lauded the Federal
Government’s unwavering commitment to improving emergency
preparedness and response in Nigeria, describing the launch of the
NAPHS as a show of increased commitment to national health
security.
He further said that “I am happy that together with other
agencies and stakeholders, we have developed a holistic and clear
plan for national health security. Through this process, we have
been able to bring together the various stakeholders with a role to
play in protecting the health of Nigerians – from security agencies
to nuclear regulatory bodies and several others. The NCDC in its
role as the IHR national focal point will continue to work with all
our partners, so that Nigeria is better prepared to manage public
health risks”, he added.
In his remarks, the World Health Organization, WHO, Director
General, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, represented by the WHO
acting representative in Nigeria, Dr. Clement Peter Lasuba,
emphasised that WHO remains committed towards supporting the
implementation of Nigeria’s NAPHS.
He further added that “WHO congratulates Nigeria for the steps
you have taken to establish the NCDC and to launch a National
Action Plan for Health Security. This is an encouraging progress.
Ultimately, the best defense against outbreaks and other crisis is
strong, resilient health systems based on people-centred primary
care’’.
The launch also had in attendance representatives of the
Honourable Ministers of Agriculture and Rural Development, Science
and Technology, Environment as well as leaders of the various
MDA’s, UN Agency Representatives, Members of the Diplomatic
community, Civil Society Organisations and Technical Committee
members.