Zamfara Govt, Partners Move Against Infectious Diseases

Zamfara State Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the World Health Organisation (WHO) and other development partners, has commenced developing a Multi-Hazard Incident Action Plan to strengthen the state’s preparedness and response to public health emergencies, including Ebola and cholera outbreaks.

The initiative was unveiled during an Emergency Preparedness and Response Planning meeting held at the Polio Emergency Operations Centre in Gusau.

The meeting, led by the permanent secretary of the Ministry of Health, Alhaji Rilwanu Musa Zurmi, brought together government officials, health experts and development partners to develop strategies to improve emergency preparedness, disease surveillance and rapid response mechanisms across the state.

At the meeting, Zurmi stressed the importance of proactive planning, effective coordination, and strong collaboration among stakeholders to enhance the state’s capacity to prevent and respond to disease outbreaks and other public health emergencies.

He explained that the Multi-Hazard Incident Action Plan would provide a comprehensive framework for responding to multiple health threats, including Ebola, cholera, and other infectious diseases, while ensuring timely and coordinated interventions during emergencies.

In his remarks, the Director of Public Health, Dr Yusuf Abubakar Haske, who led the technical session, disclosed that the State Public Health Emergency Operations Centre is currently operating in Alert Mode, particularly in response to reported cholera cases.

He noted that Disease Surveillance and Notification Officers (DSNOs) from all 14 local government areas had presented updates on the Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response (IDSR) system to support coordinated decision-making and emergency planning.

According to him, strengthening surveillance systems and emergency coordination remains critical to early detection and effective containment of disease outbreaks.

Participants at the meeting included the Programme Manager of the Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWASSA), Dr Abubakar Nasir Galadima, representatives of the World Health Organisation and other development partners, health professionals and senior government officials.

The stakeholders expressed optimism that the initiative would significantly enhance Zamfara State’s readiness to detect, contain and respond to public health emergencies, while safeguarding the health and well-being of residents.