The Ekiti State Government has inaugurated a Public Health Emergency Operations Centre Steering Committee to strengthen its response to disease outbreaks and other health emergencies across the state.
The committee was inaugurated in Ado Ekiti on Thursday by the Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr Oyebanji Filani, who will serve as its chairman.
Filani said the decision was informed by recent public health challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic and recurring outbreaks of cholera, Lassa fever, measles and other infectious diseases.
He described the committee as an important step toward protecting residents and improving the state's ability to respond to health threats.
According to him, the Public Health Emergency Operations Centre will play a key role in improving health security, while the steering committee will provide policy direction, oversight and coordination to ensure the centre functions effectively.
He also pointed to recent Ebola outbreaks in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda as reminders of the need for constant preparedness against emerging health risks.
The commissioner said the administration of Governor Biodun Oyebanji remained committed to building a stronger healthcare system capable of responding quickly to disease outbreaks and emergencies.
He added that the government would continue investing in disease surveillance, laboratory services, workforce training, risk communication and emergency coordination.
Filani noted that preparing ahead of outbreaks remains more effective and less costly than responding after emergencies occur.
Speaking at the event, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, Mrs Olusola Gbenga-Igotun, said the inauguration would improve collaboration among relevant sectors, support resource mobilisation and help sustain emergency preparedness efforts in the state.
She expressed confidence that members of the committee would carry out their responsibilities effectively and contribute to building a responsive health system capable of protecting residents from public health threats.
Also speaking, the Director of Public Health, Dr Ibrahim Abayomi, said the committee would serve as the highest advisory and oversight body for the emergency operations centre.
The State Epidemiologist, Dr Bosede Alowooye, explained that the centre would coordinate preparedness efforts, rapid response activities and resource mobilisation during disease outbreaks and other public health emergencies.
She said the facility would provide a platform for government agencies, health experts, development partners and emergency responders to work together in tackling outbreaks and disasters.
Other members of the committee include the Commissioner for Information, Taiwo Olatunbosun; Commissioner for Environment, Tosin Ajisafe-Aluko; Commissioner for Finance, Akin Oyebode; Commissioner for Budget, Femi Ajayi; Commissioner for Agriculture, Ebenezer Boluwade; and the Director-General of the Office of Transformation and Service Delivery, Dr John Ekundayo.
.jpeg)
0 Comments
DISCLAIMER
The views and opinions expressed on this platform as comments were freely made by each person under his or her own volition or responsibility and were neither suggested nor dictated by the owners of News PLATFORM or any of their contracted staff. So we take no liability whatsoever for such comments.
Please take note!