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From Ebola to COVID-19: emergency preparedness and response plans and actions in Lagos, Nigeria

From Ebola to COVID-19: emergency preparedness and response plans and actions in Lagos, Nigeria

Abayomi, Akin, Balogun, Mobolanle R., Bankole, Munir, Banke-Thomas, Aduragbemi ORCID: 0000-0002-4449-0131, Mutiu, Bamidele, Olawepo, John, Senjobi, Morakinyo, Odukoya, Oluwakemi, Aladetuyi, Lanre, Ejekam, Chioma, Folarin, Akinsanya, Emmanuel, Madonna, Amodu, Funke, Ologun, Adesoji, Olusanya, Abosede, Bakare, Moses, Alabi, Abiodun, Abdus-Salam, Ismail, Erinosho, Eniola, Bowale, Abimbola, Omilabu, Sunday, Saka, Babatunde, Osibogun, Akin, Wright, Ololade, Idris, Jide and Ogunsola, Folasade (2021) From Ebola to COVID-19: emergency preparedness and response plans and actions in Lagos, Nigeria. Globalization and Health, 17:79. ISSN 1744-8603 (Print), 1744-8603 (Online) (doi:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12992-021-00728-x)

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Abstract

Background
Lagos state is the industrial nerve centre of Nigeria and was the epicentre of the 2014 Ebola outbreak in Nigeria as it is now for the current Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) outbreak. This paper describes how the lessons learned from the Ebola outbreak in 2014 informed the emergency preparedness of the State ahead of the COVID-19 outbreak and guided response.
Discussion
Following the Ebola outbreak in 2014, the Lagos State government provided governance by developing a policy on emergency preparedness and biosecurity and provided oversight and coordination of emergency preparedness strategies. Capacities for emergency response were strengthened by training key staff, developing a robust surveillance system, and setting up a Biosafety Level 3 laboratory and biobank. Resource provision, in terms of finances and trained personnel for emergencies was prioritized by the government. With the onset of COVID-19, Lagos state was able to respond promptly to the outbreak using the centralized Incident Command Structure and the key activities of the Emergency Operations Centre. Contributory to effective response were partnerships with the private sectors, community engagement and political commitment.
Conclusion
Using the lessons learned from the 2014 Ebola outbreak, Lagos State had gradually prepared its healthcare system for a pandemic such as COVID-19. The State needs to continue to expand its preparedness to be more resilient and future proof to respond to disease outbreaks. Looking beyond intra-state gains, lessons and identified best practices from the past and present should be shared with other states and countries.

Item Type: Article
Uncontrolled Keywords: COVID-19, disease outbreak, emergency preparedness, epidemic response, Nigeria
Subjects: H Social Sciences > HD Industries. Land use. Labor > HD61 Risk Management
H Social Sciences > HV Social pathology. Social and public welfare
R Medicine > RG Gynecology and obstetrics
Faculty / School / Research Centre / Research Group: Faculty of Education, Health & Human Sciences
Faculty of Education, Health & Human Sciences > Institute for Lifecourse Development
Faculty of Education, Health & Human Sciences > School of Human Sciences (HUM)
Related URLs:
Last Modified: 20 Jan 2022 11:39
URI: http://gala.gre.ac.uk/id/eprint/34152

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