The World Health Organisation (WHO) has raised alarm over the rising number of health emergencies in Africa, stating that the continent, including Nigeria, faces more than 100 such incidents each year.
WHO Country Representative, Dr. Walter Kazadi Mulombo, made the disclosure on Tuesday during the official handover of eight emergency response vehicles to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) administration. The vehicles were received by Dr. Dolapo Fasawe, Mandate Secretary for Health and Social Services.
Dr. Mulombo said the donation is part of the SURGE (Strengthening and Utilising Response Groups for Emergencies) initiative, which aims to build a trained, multidisciplinary emergency workforce that can be rapidly deployed within 24 hours of a confirmed health crisis.
“This handover is a practical step toward enhancing the FCT’s public health emergency response system,” he said. “The vehicles will support faster deployment of emergency teams, critical supplies, and personnel to affected communities.”
He explained that SURGE, a joint initiative of WHO’s Africa Regional Office and the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), focuses on four key areas: workforce development, response coordination, operations and logistics, and risk communication and community engagement.
According to Dr. Mulombo, the project began in December 2022 with the training of the first batch of emergency responders. He said the vehicles will boost FCT’s ability to respond swiftly to emergencies and fill critical gaps in coordination, logistics, and workforce readiness.
He noted that Nigeria plays a significant role in Africa’s overall health emergency landscape, with challenges ranging from outbreaks of COVID-19, Ebola, cholera, Lassa fever, anthrax, and diphtheria.
“The FCT is one of six states chosen to pioneer the SURGE programme, alongside Lagos, Abia, Edo, Kano, and Yobe,” he added. “The first phase of the intervention will begin with Yobe and the FCT, while others will follow.”
Also speaking at the event, Director General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), Dr. Jide Idris, revealed that Nigeria is currently grappling with eight active health emergencies. He identified the lack of a sufficient health security workforce as a major obstacle in managing these crises effectively.
Receiving the vehicles, Dr. Fasawe described disease surveillance as the cornerstone of public health protection.
“It allows us to detect outbreaks early, respond promptly, and prevent large-scale harm,” she said. “Through surveillance, we can identify hotspots, monitor trends, and shape effective health policies.”
The WHO’s support is expected to significantly strengthen Nigeria’s emergency preparedness and response capacity, particularly in the Federal Capital Territory.
Edited by Nzubechukwu Eze.
