The Federal Government has reiterated its commitment to enhance Nigeria’s preparedness against the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) and other emerging public health threats through improved coordination, surveillance and public communication.
Information and National Orientation Minister, Mohammed Idris, gave the assurance at the first meeting of the Communications Sub-Committee of the Presidential Task Force on Ebola Virus Disease Preparedness and Emerging Public Health Threats in Abuja.
Effective communication remains one of the most important tools the country has to prevent disease outbreaks and protect public health, said Idris, and the importance of timely and credible information to counter misinformation.
“Communication is one of the most powerful tools in the management of public health emergencies. “Accurate, timely and science-based information saves lives, while misinformation and rumours can undermine public confidence and hinder effective response,” he said.
The Minister of Health, Isaac Adewole, has said the Federal Government is committed to ensuring that all official information relating to Ebola and other infectious diseases are coordinated and based on scientific evidence from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC).
Idris said, “Our responsibility is to ensure government speaks with one clear and coordinated voice, under the guidance of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, the country’s technical authority on disease prevention and control.
He said the establishment of the Presidential Task Force by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was a manifestation of the administration’s commitment to boost the country’s capacity to respond promptly to possible public health emergencies.
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“It’s always better to take the pre-emptive action before the crisis happens,” he added.
The minister said the Communications Sub-Committee would immediately commence work on a harmonised national risk communication strategy to ensure that Nigerians get consistent, transparent and accessible public health information.
The strategy would include standard health messages, frequently asked questions, rapid response mechanisms to counter misinformation, translation of communication materials into major Nigerian languages and sustained engagement with the media, communities and other stakeholders, he said.
“We are not simply writing press statements. \”We must develop a comprehensive national risk communication strategy that is proactive, transparent and accessible to all Nigerians, regardless of language or location,\” said Idris.
He commended the National Orientation Agency (NOA) for the nationwide public awareness campaigns using health messages approved by the NCDC, noting that the agency is a key partner in promoting grassroots awareness.
The minister also appealed for more collaboration between government institutions, the media, digital platforms, traditional and religious leaders, schools, transport unions, market associations, youth and women’s groups and civil society organisations to ensure effective dissemination of accurate health information.
Idris assured Nigerians that there is no confirmed case of Ebola Virus Disease in the country at present, and called on the public to remain calm and observe preventive health measures.
“There is no confirmed case of Ebola in Nigeria, there is no cause for alarm. “The government is well prepared and vigilant and Nigerians should only rely on verified information from official government sources,” he said.
He said the current Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo highlights the need to keep up high levels of preparedness, noting that Nigeria has increased surveillance at its borders and put health facilities on alert to prevent possible importation of the virus.
The minister recalled the successful containment of the Ebola outbreak in Nigeria in 2014, saying the achievement demonstrated the value of strong leadership, coordinated response, effective surveillance and sustained public communication in health emergencies.
Idris said he was confident that the Presidential Task Force, in close collaboration with the NCDC and other relevant stakeholders, would further strengthen the country’s preparedness and also boost public confidence in Nigeria’s ability to respond effectively to future disease outbreaks.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris chairs the Communications, Diplomacy and International Engagement Sub-Committee of the Presidential Task Force with the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, as the Deputy Chairman.
The committee also has on it Dr. Suleiman Haruna, Director of Press Relations and Protocol, Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation.
