The Federal Government has called for collaborative action to address the emerging COVID-19 variants following recent global concerns.
During a strategic meeting on COVID-19 preparedness and response in Abuja, Prof. Muhammed Ali Pate, Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Development, emphasized the need for all stakeholders, including health officials, the media, and security agencies, to unite in safeguarding Nigeria from the spread of the virus.
Pate, represented by Mrs. Chidinma Agbai of the Public Health Department, reflected on the devastation caused by the global pandemic and highlighted Nigeria’s resilience in overcoming initial predictions.
However, he stressed the importance of remaining vigilant, as new variants of COVID-19, especially one emerging from China, could pose new threats.
The minister highlighted the risk of misinformation and called for strengthened border controls, including enhanced surveillance at airports and land borders.
He urged collaboration with agencies like the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) to ensure that travelers are screened effectively and that Nigeria remains protected from the virus’s potential spread.
“We must learn from past experiences,” Pate remarked, recalling how countermeasures during previous health crises, such as Ebola, led to unintended losses of life.
He urged Nigerians to remain cautious as the new COVID-19 variant emerges, particularly during the harmattan period when the virus first spread in the country years ago.
Mrs. Zubaida Umar, Director-General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), echoed the call for proactive planning and resource mobilization.
She emphasized that while Nigeria is not currently affected, preparedness remains crucial. “Public health emergencies recognize no borders,” Umar stated, underlining the importance of global cooperation and information sharing in combating health threats.
Additionally, Mr. Hopewell Munyari of the International Federation of the Red Cross urged Nigerians to draw lessons from past health crises to improve future responses.
He also encouraged leveraging international Red Cross networks to ensure effective communication and preparedness within communities.
As the world continues to battle emerging health threats, Nigeria’s commitment to proactive action remains central to safeguarding the nation’s public health.