From Ebola to COVID-19: emergency preparedness and response plans and actions in Lagos, Nigeria.
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Date
2021
Authors
Abayomi, A
Balogun, MR
Bankole, M
Banke-Thomas, A
Mutiu, B
Olawepo, J
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
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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.
Description
Keywords
COVID-19, Disease outbreak, Emergency preparedness, Epidemic response, Nigeria
Citation
Abayomi A, Balogun MR, Bankole M et al. From Ebola to COVID-19: emergency preparedness and response plans and actions in Lagos, Nigeria. Global Health 17, 79 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12992-021-00728-x