The Ekiti State Government has inaugurated a Public Health Emergency Operations Centre Steering Committee as part of efforts to strengthen health security and improve preparedness for disease outbreaks and other public health emergencies.
The Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr Oyebanji Filani, who chairs the committee, said the initiative became necessary in view of recent public health challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic and recurring outbreaks of cholera, Lassa fever, measles and other infectious diseases.
Filani, who inaugurated the committee in Ado Ekiti on Thursday, described the development as a major step towards safeguarding the health and well-being of residents.
He said the establishment and strengthening of the Public Health Emergency Operations Centre represented a strategic investment in the health, safety and resilience of the people of the state.
“The steering committee is expected to provide strategic direction, policy guidance, oversight and high-level coordination necessary for the effective functioning of the centre,” he stated.
Filani noted that recent Ebola outbreaks in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda remained a source of global public health concern.
He reiterated Governor Biodun Oyebanji’s commitment to strengthening the state’s healthcare system to respond effectively to disease outbreaks and other health emergencies.
Filani stated, “The government will continue to invest in surveillance systems, workforce development, laboratory strengthening, risk communication and emergency coordination mechanisms. Preparedness is more cost-effective and impactful than emergency response.”
Earlier, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Mrs Olusola Gbenga-Igotun, described the inauguration as a step in the right direction.
She said the committee would strengthen inter-sectoral collaboration, support resource mobilisation, ensure accountability and promote the sustainability of emergency preparedness efforts across the state.
Gbenga-Igotun expressed confidence that members of the committee would effectively discharge their responsibilities and help build a responsive and resilient system capable of protecting residents from public health threats.
Also speaking, the Director of Public Health, Dr Ibrahim Abayomi, said the committee would serve as the highest advisory and oversight body for the Public Health Emergency Operations Centre.
The State Epidemiologist, Dr Bosede Alowooye, said the centre would serve as the hub for preparedness, coordination, rapid response and resource mobilisation during public health emergencies.
Alowooye said, “The centre provides a structured platform for experts, government institutions, development partners and emergency responders to coordinate timely and effective responses to disease outbreaks and disasters.”
Other members of the committee include the Commissioner for Information, Taiwo Olatunbosun; Commissioner for Environment, Tosin Ajisafe-Aluko; Commissioner for Finance, Akin Oyebode; Commissioner for Budget, Femi Ajayi; Commissioner for Agriculture, Ebenezer Boluwade; and the Director-General, Office of Transformation and Service Delivery, Dr John Ekundayo.