From Okechukwu Ugwu, Enugu
The Federal Government has pledged to support states especially those in the South East to strengthen health security leading to better health outcomes.
The Director-General of Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), Dr Jide Idris, made the pledge during a working visit to Enugu State on Tuesday.
Idris said that the visit was meant to access uncompleted South East High Definition Molecule Laboratory, the level of Ebola Prevention and Preparedness at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu and other related projects.
He stressed the need for at least a High Definition Molecule Laboratory to easily detection of tiny pathogens especially as it involves viruses such as Ebola and others as well as make fast suspicious cases verifications.
According to him, NCDC team is here to access the rate of completion of High Definition Molecule Laboratory at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH) and we learnt that erosion is threatening the laboratory premises.
Idris said that the inspection is meant to reaccess the project and its possible completion and it would stop samples travelling far to other regions for test and verification.
He lamented that some states do not have a single High Definition Molecule Laboratory, but with NCDC scattering such laboratories in each zone, the health security of Nigerians would be further guaranteed.
The Director-General noted that due to poor maintenance culture of health facilities, the NCDC would be signing a tripod agreement with the state government and the UNTH on maintenance such laboratory and other facilities.
He said, “We are here to strengthen Ebola Prevention and Preparedness as Enugu State is among 10 states designated as State with High Importation Risk due to international entry through Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu.
”As there is yet no drug or vaccines for Ebola, our best action is to prepare effectively for prevention and closing all known gaps for it to be effective.
”Our strategy is to work in synergy with all relevant and necessary stakeholders both at the airports and health partners as well as apply all pillars of disease control.
”We are supporting states with capacity building, know-how transfer and some limited level of funding even as the Federal Government has established the Presidential Task Force for Ebola Prevention and Preparedness”.
Idris said that he would be touring medical isolation centres in the state to look at gaps and help the state to build and complete at least one standard isolation centre with competent staff, vehicles and equipment.
He also urged states to up their efforts in plugging gaps in their surveillance and preparedness for infectious disease, adding that the country is currently battling or trying to prevent 10 diseases outbreaks.
The Director-General said that states needed to stockpile vaccines, drugs, consumables and personal protective equipment especially diseases or outbreaks they are vulnerable to.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Health, Prof George Ugwu, said that the state needed to strengthen its health security and health outcomes, adding: “We need NCDC assistance to build standard medical isolation centre”.
Ugwu, who is a Member of Presidential Taskforce on Ebola Prevention and Preparedness, called for closer collaboration between NCDC and the state ministry of health.
According to him, Enugu State needed manpower capacity building, more equipment and funding for surveillance programmes and on-the-spot surveillance operations.
”Our health-loving governor, Dr Peter Mbah, will want to here your suggests on steps to ensure health security of our people as he is passionate of the security, sound health and well-being of every resident.
”The governor has invested hugely in healthcare, with top notch 260 Primary Healthcare Centres, 54 secondary hospitals, two tertiary hospitals and recently the Enugu International Hospital meant to attract medical tourism to the country.”