Ebola: Tinubu’s Presidential Committee timely, crucial for preparedness — Abayomi

Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, lauded President Bola Tinubu's establishment of a Presidential Task Force on Ebola Preparedness as a crucial and timely move. He emphasized that preparedness is the primary defense against public health emergencies, commending the president's proactive leadership.

The task force, led by Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila and coordinated by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention's Director-General Dr. Jide Idris, will focus on national preparedness, enhancing surveillance, preventing Ebola importation, and ensuring swift responses to health threats. This initiative comes amid concerns over ongoing Ebola Virus Disease outbreaks in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda.

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The establishment of this committee is timely and strategic. Preparedness is always the first line of defence in public health emergencies, and Mr President has demonstrated leadership by acting early.

Abayomi highlighted Lagos's critical role in Nigeria's preparedness efforts due to its status as the nation's main international gateway. With over 70 percent of international passenger traffic passing through Murtala Muhammed International Airport, the state is particularly vulnerable to imported infectious diseases. He stressed the importance of strengthening surveillance at airports, seaports, and border crossings to protect lives.

The commissioner affirmed that Lagos will continue its preventive measures under Operation Lagos BioShield, including passenger monitoring, contact tracing, and public awareness campaigns. He noted that the state's past experiences managing outbreaks like Ebola in 2014, as well as COVID-19, cholera, Lassa fever, and diphtheria, have significantly bolstered its public health response systems. Abayomi concluded that while Nigeria currently has no confirmed Ebola cases, sustained vigilance and early action are the nation's strongest defenses against emerging threats.

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Lagos remains at the frontline of national health security. Strengthening surveillance at our airports, seaports and border points is critical to preventing disease importation and protecting lives.