Abiodun Nejo
The Ekiti State Government has assured residents that its health system remains vigilant and prepared to respond promptly to any public health threat.
The State Epidemiologist, Bosede Alowooye, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to safeguarding the health and well-being of residents through proactive and evidence-based preparedness activities.
A statement issued by the state Ministry of Health in Ado Ekiti on Sunday said Alowooye spoke during a two-day refresher training and simulation exercise for case managers and other health personnel held at the Federal Teaching Hospital, Ido Ekiti.
The epidemiologist said although no case of Ebola had been reported in Ekiti, the state had strengthened its preparedness for a possible Ebola Virus Disease outbreak following the resurgence of outbreaks in parts of Africa.
She said increased cross-border movement had made sustained vigilance and preparedness necessary.
Alowooye said the exercise was designed to test and improve the state’s capacity for early detection, isolation, safe management and referral of suspected EVD cases.
She said the training combined classroom lectures with a practical simulation of the management of a suspected EVD case presenting at a health facility.
“Participants were trained on EVD epidemiology and case definition, early detection and notification protocols, infection prevention and control, standard precautions, proper donning and doffing of personal protective equipment, environmental safety and coordination mechanisms.
“These are critical measures for preventing nosocomial transmission and ensuring a coordinated and effective response to suspected cases,” she said.
Alowooye added that the Ministry of Health provided full Personal Protective Equipment kits for the practical sessions and deployed a standby ambulance to simulate safe transportation and referral procedures.
She said, “The state government is committed to safeguarding the health and well-being of residents through proactive and evidence-based preparedness activities. We can assure residents that the health system is vigilant and prepared to respond promptly to any public health threat.”
A facilitator, Olumuyiwa Ariyo, said observations from the exercise showed a high level of commitment and improved practical competence among participants.
Ariyo said regular simulation exercises complemented theoretical knowledge, while stressing the need for continuous availability of PPE and infection prevention and control commodities.
He also stressed the importance of clear communication channels, with defined roles and responsibilities, during public health emergencies.
He said stakeholders at the exercise recommended regular refresher training and simulation exercises across health facilities in the state, adequate stockpiling of PPE and IPC materials, and ensuring that standard operating procedures and emergency protocols were readily accessible.
Other recommendations, he said, included strengthening the state’s referral and ambulance system and sustaining collaboration between the ministry and tertiary health institutions for periodic assessment of preparedness.
Participants were drawn from Afe Babalola University Multi-System Hospital, Ado Ekiti; Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, Ado Ekiti; Federal Teaching Hospital, Ido Ekiti; Federal Medical Centre, Ikole Ekiti; and Oba Adejuyigbe General Hospital, Ado Ekiti.
Others included case managers, IPC focal persons, clinicians, nurses, laboratory scientists and emergency response personnel from the state Ministry of Health and Human Services.
The participants commended the state Ministry of Health and Human Services, under the leadership of the Commissioner, Oyebanji Filani, for organising the training and sustaining investments in health system strengthening and other public health interventions in the state.4. Obi promises demand-driven government.
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