Public health experts have called for greater investment in health infrastructure and the strengthening of surveillance systems to effectively combat recurring viral outbreaks such as Lassa fever, Mpox, Dengue fever, and potential future pandemics.
The call was made at the third International Research Center of Excellence (IRCE) Scientific Symposium held in Abuja, where participants reviewed lessons from past epidemics and emphasized the urgent need to reinforce Nigeria’s health system.
Presenting a paper titled “Viruses of Pandemic and Public Health Importance in Nigeria,” Dr. Tosin Afowowe of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) revealed that Nigeria experiences at least five major outbreaks annually, with about half caused by viral infections.
Also speaking, Professor Alash’le Abimiku, Executive Director of IRCE at the Institute of Human Virology Nigeria, stressed that research remains central to effective outbreak detection and control.
From a policy standpoint, the Director-General of the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), Dr. Temitope Ilori, highlighted the increased vulnerability of people living with HIV to viral infections.
She urged stronger inter-agency collaboration to build a more resilient health system capable of withstanding future public health threats.
Writing by Dolapo Sonuga