Nigeria has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response (PPPR) at the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York. The country's Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, delivered Nigeria's national statement on behalf of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the High-Level Meeting on Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response. Salako emphasized the need for a more equitable, sustainable, and accountable global health security architecture.
According to Salako, Nigeria considers preparedness strongest when built on public health systems capable of preventing, detecting, and controlling infectious threats every day. He stated that prevention is preparedness and that the strength of everyday public health systems determines how effectively nations detect threats early, respond rapidly, and maintain essential services during crises. This approach is crucial in preventing and responding to pandemics.
Salako highlighted Nigeria's progress in strengthening its legal and institutional frameworks, expanding nationwide digital surveillance, and institutionalizing the 7-1-7 approach. The country has also enhanced its genomic sequencing capacity and improved multi-hazard preparedness. These efforts aim to strengthen Nigeria's preparedness and response to pandemics. The country's public health laboratory network now covers all 36 states.
Nigeria's Public Health Emergency Operations Centres support coordinated responses to outbreaks, including Lassa fever, cholera, diphtheria, and meningitis. The country's Joint External Evaluation score improved from 39% in 2017 to 54% in 2023. This progress demonstrates Nigeria's commitment to strengthening its health security capacities. The country is also advancing the implementation of the one health approach.
The one health approach aims to integrate human, animal, and environmental health. Nigeria is also addressing Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) governance, infection prevention, and control programs. The country is enhancing its emergency workforce capacity at national and sub-national levels. These efforts are crucial in preventing and responding to pandemics. The US$250 million World Bank Health Security Programme is supporting these initiatives.
The World Bank's US$250 million Health Security Programme is building federal and state-level capacities under a one health approach. This programme aims to strengthen health security capacities and support Nigeria's preparedness and response to pandemics. Salako outlined five national priorities for pandemic preparedness, including strengthening national ownership, governance, and legal preparedness.
The five national priorities also include placing prevention at the centre of preparedness, building integrated, resilient, and one health systems, advancing equitable access, financing, and African manufacturing, and deepening regional and global solidarity and accountability. These priorities demonstrate Nigeria's commitment to strengthening its preparedness and response to pandemics. The country is working to build a more equitable and sustainable global health security architecture.
Key points
- Nigeria recommits to strengthening Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response (PPPR) at the UNGA.
- The country seeks a more equitable, sustainable, and accountable global health security architecture.
- Nigeria outlines five national priorities for pandemic preparedness, including strengthening national ownership and governance.
