Abuja — The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has warned that fragmented responses to health emergencies expose Nigerians to unnecessary risks and undermine the country’s health security.
The agency issued the warning in Abuja on Tuesday at a High-Level National Technical Review Meeting convened to assess Nigeria’s handling of a recent suspected Ebola case, which was later confirmed negative for both Ebola and Marburg viruses.
NCDC Director-General, Dr. Jide Idris, said the incident, though a false alarm, acted as a stress test that revealed critical gaps in surveillance, laboratory systems, infection prevention and control, coordination, and risk communication.
“False alarms are not failures; they are opportunities to strengthen systems. We must ensure that lessons from this response translate into sustained vigilance, stronger coordination and better preparedness across all levels,” Idris said.
He stressed the importance of updated protocols, teamwork, and coordination across federal and state levels, warning that a single misstep could put health workers and communities at risk.
Idris also shared his personal experience during the tense hours of the suspected case, noting that careful decision-making and timely lab results helped prevent public panic.
“Preparedness should not be about chaos or blame, but about procedure, teamwork, and adherence to standards that protect the nation in times of health emergencies,” he added.
The NCDC chief urged states to build their own readiness systems, highlighting that while the federal government may have resources, many states remain underprepared for health crises.
He further emphasised the need for a One Health approach, integrating human, animal, and environmental health perspectives to anticipate cross-border and water-related health threats.
Stakeholders at the meeting, including government representatives, subnational authorities, and international partners, agreed that effective epidemic response requires collective action, discipline, accountability, and seamless cooperation between public and private sectors.
They called for renewed investment in community engagement, inter-agency coordination, and frontline preparedness to ensure Nigeria is better equipped to handle high-priority health threats such as Ebola, Lassa fever, and other viral haemorrhagic fevers.
