As Nigeria confronts the looming menace of Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV), an announcement by the Nigeria Centre for Illness Management and Prevention (NCDC) acknowledging a average danger degree has sparked widespread unease.
The Director-Common of NCDC, Dr. Jide Idris, responding to the elevated HMPV exercise reported in China, UK, France, and Germany throughout this winter season, mentioned the centre, in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Well being and Social Welfare, is actively monitoring the state of affairs and implementing measures to make sure public well being security.
Many Nigerians have trigger to fret, contemplating the large challenges confronting Nigeria’s emergency preparedness.
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The nation has confronted an growing variety of disasters over the previous decade, together with outbreaks of infectious illnesses, air air pollution, pure disasters, communal and ethno-religious crises, and acts of terrorism.
Whereas Nigeria’s Nationwide Well being Coverage identifies public well being emergency preparedness and response as a serious coverage thrust, with the objective of lowering the burden of public well being emergencies, the 2019 International Well being Safety Index exhibits that Nigeria, with a rating of 12.5 out of 100, ranks very low in emergency preparedness and response planning.
In accordance with findings by Researchgate, the present Nationwide Catastrophe Administration Framework offers for a complete multisectoral response and incorporates the well being ministry/division in any respect ranges of catastrophe response; nonetheless, it doesn’t seem that stakeholders know or utilise the framework effectively.
The report provides that no particular consideration is given to the specter of rising and re-emerging infectious illnesses and their related public well being emergencies.
Though the institution of the NCDC has helped deal with some gaps on this respect, the response on the sub-national degree stays sub-optimal, as evidenced by the response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Catastrophe preparedness and response planning are notably missing at healthcare amenities.
We recall that the detection of the preliminary case of Coronavirus (COVID-19) was reported on February 27, 2020, however the nation’s knee-jerk response to tackling the virus enabled the scourge to unfold throughout the nation, with Lagos because the epicenter.
COVID-19 claimed greater than 4 million lives and contaminated greater than 200 million folks worldwide, and the pandemic’s influence touched nearly each side of recent life, upending public well being techniques, the worldwide financial system, journey, provide chains, neighborhood and social ties, and the way we work.
The nation recorded 3,155 coronavirus deaths, in response to the World Well being Organisation (WHO), with 267,188 reported instances, whereas 259,953 recovered.
We all know that it was out of sheer windfall that we averted greater casualty numbers predicted by the Western world, and positively not due to actions from the federal authorities.
Within the thought of opinion of this newspaper,with the nation’s inhabitants development reaching an estimated 222 million, extra must be completed to safeguard its well being and security.
In accordance with information printed by the Chinese language Middle for Illness Management and Prevention, which tracked well being information till December 29, 2024, there was a steady upward pattern in respiratory viral infections, together with seasonal influenza, rhinovirus, RSV, and human metapneumovirus within the last weeks of final yr, notably in northern provinces of China.
Another temperate northern hemisphere nations have additionally reported will increase in influenza-like sickness and/or acute respiratory infections in current weeks, following ordinary seasonal tendencies.
Subsequent research confirmed that human metapneumovirus is a typical respiratory virus that circulates in lots of nations throughout winter and spring. Folks of all ages may be contaminated and reinfected all through their lives. Whereas some individuals who catch it find yourself in hospitals with bronchitis or pneumonia, most expertise chilly or flu-like signs – together with a cough, fever, nasal congestion, and shortness of breath – and recuperate after a couple of days. Younger youngsters, older adults, and folks with weakened immune techniques are at biggest danger of extreme sickness.
To bolster Nigeria’s defenses, we urge the NCDC and related companies to develop surveillance and laboratory testing capabilities, notably at worldwide airports and border factors. Clear communication and public well being training should additionally stay a precedence.
Easy preventive measures—common hand hygiene, respiratory etiquette, and disinfection of surfaces—needs to be promoted as very important instruments in limiting transmission. Susceptible populations should be inspired to hunt medical consideration promptly for extreme signs.
Whereas the WHO has not declared HMPV a Public Well being Emergency of Worldwide Concern, the evolving tendencies in respiratory diseases demand vigilance.
The NCDC’s present measures are commendable, however they should be matched by concerted efforts in any respect ranges of presidency. The 1999 Structure locations well being on the concurrent legislative record, requiring cooperation throughout federal, state, and native governments to make sure a unified and efficient response.
Nigeria can’t afford to stumble into one other public well being disaster unprepared. Strengthening surveillance, enhancing diagnostic capability, and fostering intergovernmental collaboration usually are not simply methods however imperatives for safeguarding the well being and security of its residents.
On this second of heightened consciousness, allow us to decide to constructing a resilient well being system able to withstanding future challenges. The price of inaction is much too nice.
