Virologist Oyewale Tomori has called for a re-examination of Nigeria’s public health history for effective epidemic prevention and response.
For Nigeria, Mr Tomori said the declaration could be a turning point, given its position as the continent’s largest pharmaceutical market.
He said that lack of confidence in vaccines was a threat to the success of vaccination programmes.
Mr Tomori called on West African governments to take concrete steps to defeat Lassa fever, which continues to ravage the region.
Mr Tomori said UNICEF-managed procurement for Gavi-eligible countries delivered 729 million doses for just $137 million, at a rock-bottom average of $0.18 per dose.
The virologist underscored the urgent need for improving disease surveillance.
Mr Tomori, a Nigerian virologist, expressed his concern in an interview in Abuja on Monday.
Director-general of the Nigerian Institute Of Medical Research ( NIMR) said there is the need for research and development of indigenous solutions.
Mr Tomori will join other global experts on WHO’s Technical Advisory Group on COVID-19.
