The Nigeria Academy of Pharmacy has referred to as on the federal authorities to strengthen Nigeria’s preparedness for Ebola Virus Disease and different rising infectious illnesses by a coordinated nationwide epidemic-readiness framework.
The Academy stated preparedness measures ought to be institutionalised, repeatedly assessed and made practical throughout the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
In a press release signed by its President and Chairman of the Governing Council, Prof. Lere Baale, on Thursday, the Academy stated Nigeria should transfer past outbreak consciousness to measurable nationwide readiness.
The name follows the Academy’s coverage report, titled: “From Awareness to Readiness: Strengthening Nigeria’s Preparedness for Ebola and Emerging Infectious Disease Emergencies.”
The report attracts on deliberations at its National Webinar on Ebola Preparedness held on August 20, 2026, and the work of its multidisciplinary Task Group on Ebola Virus Disease Resurgence, chaired by Prof. Fola Tayo.
Baale stated Nigeria’s success in containing Ebola in 2014 ought to function a basis for stronger preparedness reasonably than a cause for complacency.
“Nigeria demonstrated extraordinary management, skilled competence and nationwide coordination in containing Ebola in 2014. However, yesterday’s success doesn’t robotically assure tomorrow’s preparedness.
“Our responsibility is to ensure that the capabilities that protected Nigeria in 2014 are institutionalised, continuously strengthened and demonstrably functional across the country,” he stated.
The Academy stated epidemic preparedness ought to now not be handled as an emergency intervention activated solely when an outbreak threatens the nation.
It proposed a steady nationwide system constructed round seven interconnected capabilities: anticipate, stop, detect, reply, recuperate, study and enhance.
According to the Academy, the strategy would strengthen Nigeria’s capability to handle Ebola, Lassa fever, cholera and different rising and re-emerging infectious illnesses.
It counseled the Federal Government, the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention for present preparedness measures, together with surveillance, laboratory readiness, an infection prevention and management, point-of-entry monitoring, intergovernmental coordination and public communication.
However, it stated additional motion is required to make sure that present techniques remained practical and efficient.
Outlining the proposed 10-point plan, the Academy referred to as for a nationwide audit of epidemic preparedness to evaluate surveillance techniques, isolation amenities, laboratories, personnel and emergency response capabilities.
The Academy additionally pressured the necessity to shield healthcare staff to maintain an efficient epidemic response.
It stated medical doctors, pharmacists, nurses, medical laboratory professionals, group well being practitioners, rehabilitation professionals and different frontline personnel ought to obtain steady preparedness coaching, applicable protecting tools and institutional help.
According to the Academy, efficient preparedness requires collaboration throughout skilled boundaries and healthcare establishments.
It, due to this fact, advisable multidisciplinary readiness groups, coordinated coaching and periodic simulation workouts reflecting real-life outbreak eventualities.
Beyond the ten precedence actions, the Academy proposed a direct 90-day implementation framework to help authorities consideration.
The proposed actions embrace a nationwide functional-readiness audit, laboratory referral mapping, a listing of emergency well being commodities, a group pharmacy surveillance pilot, healthcare employee preparedness programmes and the event of a nationwide epidemic-readiness scorecard.
Longer-term suggestions embrace preparedness schooling, stronger surveillance networks, improved provide chain visibility, One Health collaboration and annual public reporting on epidemic readiness.
The Academy stated preparedness funding ought to be tied to measurable outcomes, verified operational capabilities and corrective motion reasonably than procurement alone.
It expressed readiness to collaborate with the NCDC, the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, state well being authorities, skilled regulatory our bodies, healthcare associations, educational establishments, pharmaceutical producers, improvement companions and group organisations.
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