By Muyideen Aliyu
Kwara State Public Health Emergency Operations Centre (PHEOC) has planned a sensitization strategy for Point of Entry officials as part of efforts to strengthen Ebola preparedness and response across the state.
The sensitization strategy brought together Port Health Officers, Immigration Officers, the Chief Medical Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), as well as development partners including the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, and other supporting agencies.
Speaking during the meeting, the Permanent Secretary, State Ministry of Health, Dr. Taoheed Abdullahi, emphasized the importance of proactive measures in preventing the importation and spread of Ebola into the state.
He noted that the meeting was organized to strengthen coordination among stakeholders, improve early detections, reporting systems, and reinforce infection prevention and control measures at all points of entry.
Abdullahi stated that strategies focused on the roles and responsibilities of various stakeholders in enhancing surveillance, ensuring prompt referral of suspected cases, and maintaining effective communications across all response structures.
He urged participants to remain vigilant, share informations promptly, and strictly adhere to established public health protocols.
He explained that the meeting provided an opportunity to review existing readiness measures, identify gaps in the response system, and strengthen collaborations among partners in safeguarding public health.
The permanent secretary said, the meeting was meant to reaffirm the commitment of the State Government and its partners to maintain an high level of preparedness and protecting residents from public health threats through coordinated actions and effective surveillance systems.
Earlier, the State Epidemiologist, Dr. Khadeejah Kamaldeen, highlighted the critical roles of Port Health Officials in disease prevention and control.
According to her, “their responsibilities include; the early detection of ill travellers, crew members, animals, or contaminated goods that may carry infectious diseases.”
She added that Port Health Officials are responsible for implementing prevention and containment measures such as isolation, quarantine, and movement restrictions to prevent onward transmission of diseases.
Kamaldeen noted that timely reporting and notification of suspected cases to state and national public health authorities, where necessary to WHO under the International Health Regulations, remain essential components of effective disease surveillance.
She explained that Port Health Officials serve as a vital link among port operators, carriers, customs authorities, veterinary services, environmental health officers, laboratories, and national public health agencies.
Also, the State Health Promotion Officer, Mallam Jubril Abdulkarim, outlined the objectives of the sensitization programme. He said the initiative was designed to raise awareness about the Ebola outbreak, enhance surveillance and early detection systems, promote infection prevention and control measures.
He added that the programme was organized to also strengthen risk communication and community engagement, improve cross-border preparedness, and encourage timely reporting and referral of suspected cases.