Pandemics have repeatedly exposed the vulnerabilities in Nigeria’s health system, leaving devastating impacts on Public Health and the economy. The COVID-19 pandemic, in particular, highlighted significant gaps in healthcare infrastructure, workforce preparedness, and emergency response mechanisms. These deficiencies hindered the country’s ability to combat the virus’s effects, intensified health inequalities, and stretched resources to their limits. As the world faces an increasing frequency of infectious disease outbreaks, Nigeria must prioritise health resilience and take deliberate steps to address these weaknesses to safeguard its population from future threats.
The necessity of proactive measures becomes even more critical as the global health landscape evolves. Beyond infectious diseases, Nigeria contends with a rising burden of non-communicable diseases and Environmental Health threats. Without a comprehensive and flexible health system, these challenges pose risks to national stability and development. As a result, the country must shift from reactive to preventive strategies by investing in its health infrastructure, strengthening local institutions, and building a workforce equipped to tackle both current and emerging threats. Such steps are essential for fostering a sustainable and strong health Security framework.
Adaptable systems and local leadership vital for health stability.
At the second annual Aids Prevention Initiative in Nigeria (APIN) Public Health Initiatives symposium, titled “Securing Our Future: Strengthening Global Health Security in Nigeria,” experts gathered in Abuja to discuss solutions for bolstering Nigeria’s health resilience. Prosper Okonkwo, CEO of APIN, stressed the importance of building adaptable health systems to address public health threats. He emphasised that lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic and the resurgence of infectious diseases must inform future health security strategies. Okonkwo also highlighted the urgency of developing a framework capable of responding swiftly to crises while addressing systemic inequalities.
Furthermore, Chikwe Ihekweazu, Assistant Director-General of the Division of Health Emergency Intelligence and Surveillance Systems at the WHO, delivered the keynote address. He explained the role of local institutions in achieving global health security and called for long-term investments in Nigeria’s health sector, urging the government to allocate resources towards developing strong systems. Ihekweazu also noted that effective health security relies on empowering local actors to take charge of leadership, expertise, and implementation, with international partners playing a supportive role. His call for local ownership reiterated the growing consensus that sustainable health solutions must be homegrown, with international partnerships reinforcing, rather than replacing, local efforts.
One-health approach to improve disease control and health security.
In addition, Oladipo Shittu, Board Chairman of APIN Public Health Initiatives, echoed these sentiments, reflecting on the global Disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. He noted that the pandemic underscored the critical need for health security to protect not only lives but also economic stability. With Nigeria’s Revenue drastically dropping during the pandemic, Shittu urged stakeholders to ensure that the outcomes of the symposium translate into actionable solutions nationwide, reinforcing the country’s capacity to respond to future health challenges.
Moreover, Nse Akpan, Director of Port Health Services at the Ministry of Health, on behalf of the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Pate, highlighted ongoing efforts to reduce the prevalence of diseases such as malaria, HIV, and tuberculosis. Akpan noted that the government is adopting a One-Health approach, integrating programmes across human, animal, and environmental health sectors to improve response effectiveness. A similar approach has been successful in Thailand, where the integration of disease control and public health management across sectors significantly reduced zoonotic diseases and strengthened the country’s overall health response, serving as a model for Nigeria’s own efforts. He concluded by reaffirming the administration’s commitment to enhancing health outcomes and addressing systemic challenges.
Related Article: Nigerians urge for enhanced healthcare system
Ultimately, Nigeria’s health system must evolve to meet the demands of a rapidly changing global health environment. The country must address not only infectious diseases but also rising non-communicable diseases and health disparities. Strengthening local institutions, fostering collaboration across sectors, and implementing proactive measures are crucial to building a resilient health security framework. The deliberations at the APIN symposium represent a crucial step towards these goals and offer key insights into how Nigeria can improve its capacity. Stakeholders must now focus on translating these insights into steps that will secure the nation’s health and safeguard its future.