Nigeria has launched a new €4.2 million health intervention funded by the European Union to strengthen the country’s capacity to detect and respond to disease outbreaks as recurring epidemics continue to pressure the health sector.
The programme, known as the EU Support to Public Health Institutes in Nigeria, will be implemented by the World Health Organization in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare over the next four years.
The initiative is expected to improve disease surveillance, enhance coordination among public health institutions, strengthen data-sharing systems, and boost digital skills among health workers across the country.
The intervention comes as Nigeria continues to battle outbreaks of cholera, diphtheria, Lassa fever, meningitis, and Mpox, while cases of noncommunicable diseases such as hypertension and diabetes continue to rise.
According to the WHO, noncommunicable diseases now account for about 27 per cent of deaths in Nigeria, while the country contributes nearly 30 per cent of global malaria deaths.
Under the programme, public health institutions will receive support to improve real-time data management systems and strengthen connections between public health services, primary healthcare facilities, and local communities.
The initiative also targets improved digital capacity among frontline health workers, with plans to train at least 75 per cent of personnel involved in outbreak response nationwide.
Speaking during the launch in Abuja, Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Iziaq Adekunle Salako, described the programme as a major boost for Nigeria’s healthcare system.
He said the intervention would strengthen health institutions and improve healthcare delivery, particularly for vulnerable populations.
Salako commended the European Union and the WHO for supporting Nigeria’s efforts to improve health security and align with the government’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Also speaking, the EU Ambassador to Nigeria, Gautier Mignon, said the programme represents an investment in Nigeria’s long-term health security and institutional resilience.
According to him, the initiative reflects a shared commitment to building stronger and digitally enabled public health institutions in Nigeria.
WHO Representative in Nigeria, Pavel Ursu, stressed the importance of technology and coordination in managing future health emergencies.
He noted that improved digital tools, stronger collaboration, and better-trained personnel would help protect lives and improve community health outcomes.
The partners added that the programme is expected to improve coordination among agencies, clarify institutional responsibilities, and strengthen the reliability of public health data at federal, state, and local government levels by 2028.
They also said progress would be monitored through periodic evaluations involving government institutions and development partners.
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, says the emerging “rainbow coalition”…
Nigerian television host Frank Edoho has declared that he will never again commit to a…
Ijaw indigenes of Warri Federal Constituency in Delta State on Monday stormed the headquarters of…
The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has intensified measures to protect the integrity of the…
Fresh uncertainty is looming over Nigeria’s public university system as the Academic Staff Union of…
The Federal Government has approved 150 as the minimum admission cut-off mark for both public…
This website uses cookies.