Federal Govt Launches €4.2m EU-WHO Programme To Boost Outbreak Preparedness

The federal government has launched the €4.2 million EU Support to Public Health Institutes in Nigeria (EU SPIN) programme, a major initiative aimed at bolstering the country’s capacity to prevent and respond to disease outbreaks.

Implemented by the World Health Organisation (WHO) in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the four-year initiative aims to enhance the capacity of public health institutions to detect, report, and respond to outbreaks more efficiently.

The programme, funded by the European Union, will focus on strengthening core functions of selected public health institutes, improving coordination, and training leaders and frontline workers in outbreak prevention and response.

It will also enhance data-sharing systems, link public health efforts to primary healthcare and communities, and build digital skills for the public health workforce, aiming to train 75 per cent of targeted staff.

Speaking at the launch on Monday in Abuja, Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Iziaq Salako, described the initiative as “a welcome development” that will improve the well-being of Nigerians, particularly vulnerable populations.

He expressed appreciation to the European Union and WHO for their support, noting that the programme aligns with Nigeria’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

European Union Ambassador to Nigeria, Gautier Mignon, emphasised the EU’s commitment to health security and sustainable systems strengthening, saying, “Through EU SPIN, the European Union is investing in strong, digitally enabled public health institutions in Nigeria.”

WHO Representative in Nigeria, Dr Pavel Ursu, added that the programme would protect lives and keep communities healthier by improving coordination, skills, and digital tools for public health workers.

Nigeria faces the dual challenge of repeated disease outbreaks and a rising burden of noncommunicable diseases such as hypertension and diabetes. Malaria remains a major killer, contributing to 30 per cent of global malaria deaths, while recurrent outbreaks of cholera, diphtheria, Lassa fever, meningitis, and Mpox continue to strain the health system.

By 2028, EU SPIN aims to achieve more efficient inter-institutional coordination, clearer roles, and reliable public health data across federal, state, and local levels. Progress will be tracked through national monitoring systems, with regular reviews involving government and partners.

The programme is expected to deliver long-term benefits for women, children, the elderly, persons with disabilities, internally displaced persons, and other vulnerable populations, ultimately supporting better health outcomes nationwide.