The World Health Organization has stated that the breakout of the COVID-19 pandemic and other emerging diseases such as Lassa Fever and Cholera were indicators of inadequacies in many countries’ preparedness for epidemics, including Nigeria.
In addition, the organization urged the Federal Government to prioritize health financing for disease preparation and prevention in the battle against disease outbreaks.
According to the United Nations Specialized Agency for Malaria, Nigeria accounts for 50% of tropical diseases in Africa and contributes 27% of worldwide malaria cases and 24% of deaths.
The WHO Country Representative, Dr. Walter Kazadi Mulombo, was represented by its Medical Officer (Emergency Programming and Response), Dr. Victor Tugumizemu, at the 3rd edition of the Nigeria Health Watch Prevent Epidemics Journalism Awards on Friday in Abuja.
Vivianne Ihekweazu, Managing Director of Nigeria Health Watch, remarked during the occasion that inadequate health funding puts everyone vulnerable to outbreaks. She stated that health security should not be viewed just as the duty of the federal government, but also of state and local governments.
As a result, Ihekweazu urged Nigerians to “hold politicians accountable in order to enhance public health” in the spirit of electioneering campaigns and voting for new leaders.
According to WHO, every country needed to discover, prevent, or stop epidemics.
“If uncontrolled, it (gaps in emergency planning) can end in terrible risk,” Mulombo added. Nigeria needs to shift its focus from disease treatment to disease prevention by addressing the underlying causes.
“While there is no single method to epidemic prevention, all countries must find their way in the context of their own social, political and economic situations.
Everywhere, the cornerstone must be a political commitment to constructing a strong health system based on primary care, with a focus on disease prevention and health promotion.
“Such health systems not only provide the best health outcomes; they also provide the best defense against epidemics and other health emergencies.
“Currently, the nation suffers the greatest burden of TB and paediatric HIV, while accounting for 50 per cent of neglected tropical illnesses in Africa.
Although the prevalence of malaria is decreasing (from 42% to 23%), the country accounts for 27% of worldwide cases and 24% of global fatalities.
“Noncommunicable diseases account for 29% of all fatalities in Nigeria, with the four leading NCDs (hypertension, diabetes, cancers, and malnutrition) accounting for 22% of all deaths.”
Mulombo applauded the NHW for facilitating a strong collaboration with the media through the ‘Prevent Epidemics Project,’ which aimed to increase public and policymaker awareness and demand for epidemic preparedness, as well as build understanding and support among policymakers for dedicated epidemic preparedness funding.
“This event emphasizes the need to meaningfully engage critical stakeholders to accelerate and make Nigeria and the world safer from epidemics through advocacy and action,” he said. “We all know that epidemic outbreaks have multiple determinants, affect many people, and require action from all of us gathered here today.”
He also stated that the WHO just launched its $2.54 billion 2023 health emergency appeal fund to assist millions of people affected by global health emergencies.
“As the health cluster lead for crises, WHO is presently responding to the urgent needs of the most vulnerable people in 54 ongoing graded emergencies throughout the globe, 11 of which is classed as Grade 3, WHO’s highest degree of emergency, necessitating a response at all three levels the organisation.
“Furthermore, the number of people in need of humanitarian assistance has increased by about a quarter since 2022, to a record 339 million,” stated the WHO Country Representative.
Dr. Ifedayo Adetifa, Director-General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, commended the media for its vital role in epidemic response.
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