Ekiti Gov’t inaugurates public health emergency operations centre steering committee

The Ekiti State Government has officially inaugurated the Public Health Emergency Operations Centre (PHEOC) Steering Committee.

The initiative aims to significantly enhance emergency preparedness and establish a highly coordinated mechanism to protect residents from infectious disease outbreaks and other medical crises.

Speaking during the inauguration ceremony in Ado-Ekiti, the Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr. Oyebanji Filani, described the establishment of the committee as a major milestone in the state’s ongoing commitment to safeguarding public health.

He noted that recent global and domestic health challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic and recurring outbreaks of cholera, Lassa fever, and measles, have underscored the critical necessity for a centralized, efficient emergency response system.

Dr. Filani, who will chair the newly formed steering committee, emphasized that proactive preparedness is far more cost-effective and impactful than reactive emergency management.

He stated that the committee is tasked with providing the strategic direction, policy guidance, oversight, and high-level coordination required for the PHEOC to function effectively.

Pointing to international health concerns like the recent Ebola outbreaks in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda, the Commissioner reiterated the determination of Governor Biodun Oyebanji’s administration to continuously invest in disease surveillance, workforce development, laboratory strengthening, risk communication, and robust emergency coordination.

Supporting this view, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health and Human Services, Mrs. Olusola Gbenga-Igotun, lauded the inauguration as a vital step forward for the state.

She remarked that the committee will play a pivotal role in strengthening inter-sectoral collaboration, mobilizing resources, ensuring administrative accountability, and promoting the long-term sustainability of health emergency efforts across Ekiti State.

Providing further technical context, the Director of Public Health, Dr. Ibrahim Abayomi, explained that the steering committee will operate as the highest advisory and oversight body for the state’s emergency health operations.

Also speaking, the State Epidemiologist, Dr. Bosede Alowooye, described the PHEOC as the central nerve system for rapid response and resource mobilization, offering a structured platform where experts, government bodies, development partners, and first responders can collaborate to tackle health disasters in real time.

The newly inaugurated high-level committee features a multi-sectoral composition designed to ensure total government synergy.

Alongside Dr. Filani, the committee includes the Commissioner for Information, Rt. Hon. Taiwo Olatunbosun; the Commissioner for Environment, Erelu Tosin Ajisafe-Aluko; the Commissioner for Finance and Economic Development, Mr. Akin Oyebode; the Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Mr. Femi Ajayi; the Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Mr. Ebenezer Boluwade; and the Director-General/Special Adviser of the Office of Transformation and Service Delivery, Dr. John Ekundayo, among other key government officials.