eHealth Africa, Bill and Melinda Gates, and Aliko Dangote foundations are aiding the Federal Government in its battle against vaccine-preventable diseases, including polio, with the establishment of an Emergency Operation Centres (EOCs) in Zamfara and Kebbi states.
The move, according to eHealth Africa, was a part of ongoing efforts to develop the health system and address local requirements. The facility would also address other public health challenges by increasing institutional capacity, collaborating with stakeholders, and effectively preparing for them.
At the handover ceremony in the states of Zamfara and Kebbi, the facility managers said that the EOCs gave the Nigerian public health sector a boost and represented new energy and drive for eHealth Africa to support public health interventions and give underprivileged communities tools to live healthier lives.
Executive Director of eHealth Africa, Atef Fawaz, expressed satisfaction with the quality of the modern EOCs, saying the standard of the public health infrastructure was in line with global best practice.
He said: “In line with the organisation’s mission of building stronger health systems through innovative strategies, eHealth Africa has been leading the establishment of EOCs across Nigeria and other parts of Africa since 2012.”
“This experience of over a decade has positioned the organisation to understand and effectively implement an intervention of this magnitude.”
A view of Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation
Senior Programme Manager, Kazeem Balogun, who led the mapping, design and set up of the critical health infrastructure, revealed that it took a high level of diligence, resilience and collaborative approach to ensure the good people of Zamfara and Kebbi witnessed the important day.
He said: “It was very crucial to secure the support of critical stakeholders, especially the national and state primary healthcare development agencies, traditional and religious leaders, as well as international partners as their input was instrumental in ensuring successful completion and activation of the centre.
“It is our standard to always acquire modern equipment that will facilitate better planning, coordination and effective utilisation of data for informed public health emergency response.”
Manager of the project, Haruna Kaita, noted: “We are proud to be a leader in the establishment and management of the polio EOCs that have played a transformative role in Nigeria’s public health landscape.”
