Public health experts seek stronger institutions to tackle health threats

Medical experts have called for strong health resilience, and local institutions to be prepared against public health threats in Nigeria.

They made the call on Thursday in Abuja at the second APIN Public Health Initiatives annual symposium themed, “Securing our future: Strengthening global health security in Nigeria.”

In his opening remarks, the Chief Executive Officer of APIN Public Health Initiatives, Dr Prosper Okonkwo, emphasised the collective commitment to advancing Nigerian health resilience, preparedness, and safeguarding the communities against current and emerging health threats.

Okonkwo said, “Effective health security transcends disease-specific approaches, it requires resilient and adaptable health systems that can detect, assess, respond to, and contain both existing and emerging health challenges. The emergence and re-emergence of infectious diseases have dominated the global health landscape, highlighting critical vulnerabilities in our health systems worldwide.

“The COVID-19 pandemic acted as a global alert, highlighting the perils of the unequality barrier. That pandemic brought the entire world to a halt. And for countries like Nigeria, which are navigating the challenges of the global burden of infections and non-communicable disease management, as well as sector-wide health sector reform, such events underscore the necessity for a robust health security framework.”

Okonkwo stated that global health security involves preparing for and responding to public health threats.

He said in Nigeria, where the health infrastructure faces severe challenges, strengthening health security is paramount in protecting the population from health threats.

“Securing Nigeria’s health future is not just about preparing for today’s challenges, but about building a resilient system that can adapt to the evolving landscape of public health. APIN is proud to contribute in a very modest way. I’ve experienced our resources and commitment to this endeavour and we want to pledge that as far as resources will allow us, we will try every year to bring us together to discuss a topical issue that we believe that can help to chart a national way forward.

“As we engage in this discussion today, I hope that we all will bring our expertise and passion to the table. Together, we can build a safer and healthier Nigeria,” he added.

In his keynote address, the Assistant Director-General, Division of Health Emergency Intelligence and Surveillance Systems at the World Health Organisation, Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu said strengthening health security is not just about responding to an immediate crisis, but building strong institutions to absorb development resources, translate aid into action, and deliver lasting improvements for people.

“In contrast, weak institutions perpetuate a cycle of dependence. The question for us collectively is how do we build institutions that will respond not only to today’s crisis, but at the same time, lay the foundation for long-term self-reliance and health security.

“But, I was asked to speak on global health security, which usually defines, refers to actions we carry out together, globally, to protect us from both infectious and non-infectious health risks. But all global health security depends on local health security, and global health security depends on local institutions that can organise themselves to prevent, detect, respond, and reform.

“My thesis to you today, colleagues, friends, is that the difference between being saved by others versus having agency is the strength of our local institutions. Global health security is ultimately dependent on a network of strong health security institutions acting to similar protocols, mutually dependent on each other,” Ihekweazu noted.

He highlighted that while foreign partners have a role to play in strengthening health security, the ultimate responsibility rests with stakeholders on building and empowering the institutions.

“To do this, countries must put down their own money to act on these challenges and not outsource our problems so completely. As I conclude, we truly need a paradigm shift in global health.

“Building strong, resilient local institutions should be at the centre of efforts for health security and not an afterthought. External actors can be supportive. Partners are great, but the leadership, expertise, and execution must rest with those closest to the challenges and opportunities. Only then can we assure the sustainable and true impact of these investments,” he stressed.

The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof Muhammad Pate stated that the government is working to reduce the prevalence of diseases in the country.

Pate, who was represented by the Director of Port Health Services at the ministry, Dr Nse Akpan said, “Malaria, HIV, Tuberculosis, which are the leading public health diseases are dropping. But we still have a lot to do, and that’s why the government is working toward a one-health approach to integrate all programmes and tackle diseases with effective response, so that we’ll be able to contain, and if possible, eradicate all diseases of importance in this country.

“Over the years, a lot of attention has been given to major public health diseases of importance. If you look at it today, within our communities, there is neglected tropical diseases, which are common among the poor. We call on the public health practitioners to do more on this direction.

“We still face a lot of pollutions and sanitation-related diseases. We still have a lot to do, and that’s why the government is talking the Sector-Wide Approach Programme to ensure that we tackle all diseases,” he said.

On his part, the Board Chairman, APIN Public Health Initiatives, Dr Oladipo Shittu emphasised the need for the country to be prepared to respond and prevent public health threats.

Shittu said, “Very recently, the whole globe was thrown into some state of inactivity by COVID-19, and we all had to face its consequences and effects on all spheres of our lives. Incidentally, all countries felt the economic consequences of that condition. Since then, the international community has had to come to terms with the need to securitise health, and our country is not an exception.

“It’s very important for us to square up, and deal with all these challenges. We all need to position ourselves to look into the future of our beloved country, and ask ourselves, how are we prepared to come to terms with health security in our domain?

“I sincerely hope that the outcomes of this symposium will be disseminated to all the states in the country, so that they prioritise health security, and commit some of those security issues to health security.”