The federal government has pledged to support states, especially those in the South-East, to strengthen health security for better health outcomes. 

Jide Idris, the director-general of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), made the pledge during a working visit to Enugu State on Tuesday. 

Mr Idris said the visit was meant to assess the uncompleted South-East high-definition molecular laboratory, the level of Ebola prevention and preparedness at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu and other related projects. 

He said there was a need for at least one high-definition molecular laboratory for easy detection of tiny pathogens, especially viruses like Ebola, and to verify suspicious cases. 

According to him, the NCDC team is there to assess the rate of completion of the high-definition molecular laboratory at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH).

“We learnt that erosion is threatening the laboratory premises,” he said. 

Mr Idris said the inspection was meant to reassess the project’s completion and to stop samples from travelling far to other regions for testing and verification. 

He lamented that some states do not have a single high-definition molecular laboratory, but stationing such laboratories in each zone by the NCDC would further guarantee the health security of Nigerians.

The director-general said that due to the poor maintenance culture of health facilities, NCDC would sign a tripartite agreement with the state government and UNTH on laboratory and other facilities maintenance. 

“We are here to strengthen Ebola Prevention and Preparedness as Enugu State is among 10 states designated as states with high importation risk, due to international entry through Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu. 

“As there is yet no drug or vaccine for Ebola, our best action is to prepare effectively for prevention and close 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,” he said. 

Mr 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 double their efforts in plugging gaps in their surveillance and preparedness for infectious diseases, as the country was currently battling or trying to prevent 10 disease outbreaks. 

The director-general said that states needed to stockpile vaccines, drugs, consumables and personal protective equipment, especially for diseases or outbreaks they were vulnerable to. 

Earlier, the Commissioner for Health, Prof. George Ugwu, said that the state needed to strengthen its health security and health outcomes. 

“We need NCDC assistance to build a standard medical isolation centre,” Mr Ugwu said. 

The professor, who is a member of the Presidential Taskforce on Ebola Prevention and Preparedness, called for closer collaboration between NCDC and the state ministry of health. 

According to him, Enugu State needs 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 hear your suggestions on steps to ensure health security of our people, as he is passionate about 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,” he said.

(NAN)