Health experts demand stronger disease surveillance to stop outbreaks

Stakeholders during the Conference on Friday in Calabar. Photo: Emem Julius

Public health experts, epidemiologists, researchers, policymakers, and development partners from across Nigeria have called for stronger disease surveillance to check public health threats as part of efforts to strengthen the country’s capacity to address emerging and re-emerging health challenges. The charge was made during the 12th Annual National Conference of the Epidemiological Society of Nigeria held on Friday in Calabar, Cross River State, with the theme, “Strengthening Epidemiological Resilience in Nigeria: Addressing Emerging and Re-emerging Health Challenges.” The National President of the Epidemiological Society of Nigeria, Dr Matthew Ashikeni, while welcoming participants, emphasised the need to strengthen disease surveillance systems across the country to enable early detection and rapid response to public health threats, stressing that early detection helps to curb outbreaks of such diseases. He said, “I am very pleased to welcome all of you to the 12th Annual General Meeting of our Society holding here in the beautiful city of Calabar. In our conference, we will be discussing how we can strengthen epidemiological resilience in Nigeria in view of the recurring disease outbreaks we are experiencing here and in other parts of the world to enable early detection and rapid response, because early detection and rapid response help to curb outbreaks of such diseases.” According to him, effective epidemiological resilience requires robust surveillance mechanisms, improved sanitation and hygiene practices, continuous capacity building for health professionals, and the implementation of evidence-based health policies. “To ascertain progress, effective epidemiological resilience requires robust and consistent surveillance mechanisms, improved sanitation, hygiene practices, continuous capacity building for health professionals, and the implementation of evidence-based health policies to ensure our societies are free from outbreaks,” he added. He also highlighted the critical role of research institutions in generating data and scientific evidence to guide public health interventions and policy decisions, stressing that the theme of the conference is a right step in the right direction. Ashikeni commended the Cross River State Government for its proactive support and commitment, which have contributed significantly to the successful hosting of the conference in Calabar. Governor Bassey Otu, who was represented at the event by the Commissioner for Health, Dr Henry Ayuk, commend