Ebola: Kaduna Strengthens Preparedness Against Emerging, Re-emerging Diseases

Following the reported Ebola case in Abuja, the Kaduna State Ministry of Health has intensified efforts to strengthen preparedness and response to emerging and re-emerging diseases, activating all response pillars to enhance the state’s readiness for potential public health threats.

The measures were announced at a Rapid Response Team (RRT) meeting held on Wednesday, October 21, which brought together the ministry, other Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), and development partners to strengthen coordination and collaboration in disease surveillance, prevention and outbreak response.

Speaking at the meeting, the State Epidemiologist, Dr Jeremiah Daikwo, urged all pillar leads to remain on standby and maintain a high level of alertness to ensure a swift response to any potential disease outbreak.

Daikwo stressed the importance of proactive planning, effective communication and prompt action in containing public health threats, noting that sustained readiness was essential to protecting residents from emerging and re-emerging diseases.

He urged stakeholders across the various response pillars to maintain coordination and ensure that necessary response measures could be implemented without delay whenever needed.

The meeting also emphasised the importance of a multisectoral approach to public health preparedness, with relevant MDAs and development partners expected to work together to strengthen the state’s capacity to detect, prevent and respond effectively to disease outbreaks.

According to the ministry, the activation of all response pillars forms part of efforts to reinforce preparedness, improve coordination and ensure a timely, effective and well-organised response to potential health emergencies.

The state government reiterated its commitment to strengthening public health security through sustained vigilance, improved collaboration and coordinated disease surveillance to safeguard the health and well-b

eing of residents.