NCDC raises alarm over states’ preparedness for ebola, cholera, lassa fever

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has raised concerns over gaps in states’ preparedness to tackle outbreaks of Ebola, cholera, Lassa fever and other infectious diseases, warning that weak sub-national health systems remain a major threat to effective disease control.

The agency sounded the warning during the validation of the Health Security Scorecard in Abuja, where officials from the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), state governments and development partners reviewed measures aimed at improving emergency preparedness and response across the country.

Speaking at the workshop, NCDC official, Dr. Oyeladun Okunromade, said the scorecard was developed to identify weaknesses in state health security systems and establish an accountability framework for monitoring progress.

“We are here to assess the gaps that exist at the state level and provide an accountability framework to track health security performance across the sub-national level,” she said.

Also speaking, Executive Director of Resolve to Save Lives Nigeria, Dr. Nanlop Ogburuke, said Nigeria’s ability to prevent and respond to disease outbreaks depends largely on the capacity of state governments.

“There is little that can be achieved without the states. Health security can only be effective when implemented at the sub-national level. If we strengthen state capacities and empower leaders to make informed policy and investment decisions, we will be better positioned to prevent and respond to outbreaks such as cholera, Lassa fever, Ebola and other infectious diseases,” she said.

Ogburuke urged state governments to take greater ownership of health security programmes, noting that sustainable improvements would require stronger commitment beyond the support provided by development partners.

She disclosed that representatives of the 36 states, the Federal Capital Territory and partner organisations participated in the validation exercise to review health security indicators and identify areas requiring urgent attention.

The Health Security Scorecard, introduced by the NGF, NCDC and development partners, is expected to help states assess gaps in disease surveillance, emergency preparedness and response while providing evidence to guide planning and policy decisions.

Executive Director of Programme Partnership at the NGF Secretariat, Dr. Ahmad Abdulwahab, said the tool would enable states to evaluate their level of preparedness and prioritise interventions aimed at strengthening emergency response systems.

World Bank representative, Dr. Chijioke Okorie, said the bank would continue supporting efforts to improve states’ capacity for disease prevention, detection and response.