In furtherance of its efforts to strengthen health emergency preparedness and response in Nigeria, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has donated eight vehicles to the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA).
At the official handing over ceremony held in Abuja on Tuesday, WHO Representative in Nigeria, Dr. Walter Mulombo explained that the gesture was in support of the Strengthening and Utilising Response Groups for Emergencies (SURGE) Flagship Initiative.
“Today, we are here to officially hand over eight utility vehicles to the Federal Capital Territory Administration, Health Services, and Environment Secretariat.
“These vehicles, procured with the generous support of WHO, are intended to enhance the operational capacity of the FCT Public Health Emergency Response System.
“This handover is part of the Strengthening and Utilising Response Groups for Emergencies (SURGE) flagship initiative, which aims to bolster health emergency preparedness and response within the FCT”, Mulombo said.
The WHO Representative in Nigeria informed that the FCT was one of the six states selected to pioneer the SURGE implementation in Nigeria. Therefore, the vehicles will enhance the FCT’s mobility and rapid deployment capacity for emergency teams, ensuring that critical personnel, supplies, and response efforts reach affected communities swiftly and efficiently.
According to Dr. Mulombo, the event reflects WHO’s continued commitment to working hand-in-hand with the Government of Nigeria to strengthen national and sub-national capacity for health emergency preparedness and response.
“We know too well that Africa continues to experience more than 100 health emergencies annually, ranging from disease outbreaks and natural disasters to conflict-driven crises.
“The COVID-19 pandemic, Ebola, cholera, Lassa fever, and recent anthrax and diphtheria outbreaks have tested our systems and exposed gaps that need urgent attention, especially in the areas of coordination, mobility, workforce readiness, and logistics.
“This is why the SURGE flagship project was designed by WHO Regional Office for Africa (AFRO) to ensure that countries are able to mobilize within 24 hours of a confirmed emergency. The initiative aims to develop a multidisciplinary, trained, and rapidly deployable national workforce, backed by a strong operations and logistics system, all led by the government”, he said.
Speaking further, Mulombo said the move was a practical step forward in realizing the SURGE initiative’s four pillars; workforce development, response coordination, operations and logistics, and risk communication and community engagement.
He maintained that the SURGE initiative was a testament to WHO’s commitment to ensuring health security in the African region and assured of the Organisation’s commitment to providing the necessary technical, operational, and logistical assistance to support SURGE implementation—not only here in the FCT but across the country.
“Let me end by reiterating that health emergency preparedness is not a luxury; it is a necessity.
“Investing in resilient systems today ensures we save lives tomorrow. And we are proud to walk this journey with Nigeria.
“Together, let us continue to build a stronger, safer, and more responsive health system for all Nigerians”, he said.
Receiving the donation on behalf of the FCTA, Mandate Secretary, Health Services and Environment Secretariat, FCT Administration, Dr. Dolapo Fasawe said using the vehicles would, “improve our health indices and ability to respond to emergencies like in the developed countries”.
Fasawe noted that it was imperative to prioritize robust surveillance systems to protect communities, adding that disease surveillance was the backbone of public health.
“It enables us to detect outbreaks early, respond swiftly, and prevent widespread harm. By monitoring disease trends, we can identify hotspots, track transmission patterns, and inform evidence-based policies”, she said.
The Mandate Secretary continued: “Effective disease surveillance requires collaboration, coordination, and communication among healthcare providers, laboratories, and public health agencies. We must leverage technology, data analytics, and innovative tools to enhance our surveillance capabilities.
“Investing in disease surveillance is investing in our collective health security. It’s crucial for preventing outbreaks, reducing morbidity and mortality, and promoting global health stability.
“Let’s work together to strengthen our surveillance systems, enhance our response capabilities, and protect the health and well-being of our communities, she said.
Meanwhile, the Director General of the Nigeria Center for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), Dr. Jide Idris appreciated the gesture, adding that it’s collaboration with WHO had been beneficial.
