Enugu State Commissioner for Health, Prof. George Ugwu, has called for the restructuring of systems and increased capacity building at international points of entry across the state to strengthen Ebola prevention measure and improve emergency response preparedness.
Ugwu, made the call during the Enugu State Ebola Emergency Response Preparedness Committee meeting held on Friday in Enugu, where stake holders reviewed the state’s level of readiness, assessed existing prevention protocols, and identified gaps requiring urgent attention to prevent possible importation of the Ebola virus.
Ugwu, who is a member of the Presidential Committee on Prevention and Preparedness Against Ebola, said while significant progress had been recorded since the committee’s previous assessment, more efforts were needed to improve operational efficiency, particularly in areas such as passenger contact management, surveillance and coordination among response teams.
The meeting focused on evaluating preparedness across key response pillars, including surveillance, risk communication and emergency coordination, with participants examining measures already in place to detect, contain and respond to any potential Ebola threat.
According to Ugwu, interventions carried out so far have strengthened the state’s readiness, but additional improvements and reinforcement of existing structures remain necessary to achieve a more effective public health emergency response system.
He stressed the importance of ensuring that every individual, unit and department operating at points of entry clearly understands their roles and responsibilities, noting that strong coordination among stakeholders is critical to managing public health emergencies successfully.
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The commissioner commended the risk communication team for its efforts in creating public awareness but urged members to intensify campaigns aimed at educating residents about Ebola and other diseases of public health concern.
He said health information should be effectively communicated to all segments of society, including churches, schools, markets and local communities, to promote early reporting, prevention and community participation in disease control efforts.
Ugwu reiterated the commitment of the administration of Governor Peter Mbah to improving disease preparedness through continuous monitoring, stronger coordination and sustained capacity development for emergency response personnel across the state.
He urged stakeholders to remain proactive in addressing identified gaps and strengthening existing systems to protect residents and maintain a resilient public health framework capable of responding to emerging health threats.
During the meeting, updates were presented by various emergency response pillars, including surveillance and risk communication teams. Development partners such as the World Health Organization, Corona Management System and Jhpiego also pledged continued support towards enhancing Ebola preparedness efforts in the state.
Enugu is considered a high-risk state for possible Ebola importation due to the presence of the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, which serves as a major entry point. The state’s preparedness efforts come amid ongoing Ebola outbreaks in parts of the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda, where authorities continue containment measures.
NAN
