Janet Ogundepo
Experts at the 10th African Conference on One Health and Biosecurity have called for immediate action to fortify Africa’s health systems through street-level awareness and structural reforms against globla health threats.
This was made known on the second day of the conference, which was held at Oriental Hotel, Lekki, Lagos State.
In a statement sent to PUNCH Healthwise and signed by the Lagos State Ministry of Health’s Director of Public Affairs, Tunbosun Ogunbanwo, the experts focused on emerging disease threats and biosecurity.
The event was attended by former Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola, Lagos State Health Commissioner Prof Akin Abayomi, and GET Consortium’s Chief Operating Officer Dr Ayodotun Bobadoye.
On his part, Fashola emphasised the need to prepare Africa for the inevitable emergence of new pandemics, highlighting lessons learned from Lagos State’s battle against Ebola.
“We need to prepare rigorously for more pandemics. Antimicrobial resistance is a pressing concern, with antibiotics becoming less effective. This is no longer an abstract issue but one with immediate consequences,” he warned.
Fashola further noted the importance of fostering a grassroots understanding of biosecurity challenges, stating that healthcare was a serious business not just about doctors and hospital beds.
He called for strict enforcement of environmental laws and the use of educational documentaries to raise public awareness.
“Open defecation and poor sanitation threaten public health. Urban planners and environmental regulators must prioritise sanitation as it’s our first line of defense.
“Storytelling is key to building understanding. A documentary could help tell the story of how Lagos battled Ebola and COVID-19, informing and inspiring the next generation,” he said.
Speaking on “Strengthening and Sustainability of Lagos State’s Health System,” the Lagos State Commissioner for Health, explained the state’s health initiatives under the Lagos Development Plan 2052, noting that it aimed to boost healthcare infrastructure and human resources.
Abayomi further noted that the state was invested in increasing the intake of healthcare professionals from 100 to 1,000 annually and leveraging private-sector partnerships to enhance primary healthcare.
“The private sector will be pivotal in addressing Lagos’ healthcare needs,” he stated.
He further noted that Lagos had about 1,800 registered private healthcare facilities, 31 secondary public hospitals, five tertiary facilities, and 326 primary centres.
“Lagos State serves as a healthcare hub, with over 12.5 million accessing care here annually. Yet, significant bed shortages mean we need a strategy to close this gap, through public and private investment,” the commissioner explained.
Abayomi further noted that the state must also address the $1.5bn Nigerians spend on medical treatment abroad each year.
“Orthopaedics, cardiology, and oncology are among the top specialties that drive outbound medical tourism,” he said.
Reflecting on the conference’s theme, Abayomi asserted that Africa must adopt a holistic health system that integrates the public and private sectors.
“To tackle emerging threats, we need to streamline resources, upgrade health infrastructure, and enhance our response capacity,” he said.
The commissioner reiterated Lagos’ commitment to mandatory health insurance and universal health coverage.
On his part, the COO of GET Consortium, focused on the Lagos State Biosecurity Policy, noting that it was an initiative aimed to shield human, animal, and environmental health.
“Biosecurity is about mitigating risks to human, animal, and plant life, with laboratory biosecurity gaining attention worldwide,” Bobadoye noted.
He asserted that safeguarding labs from unauthorised access was essential in an era where non-state actors posed real threats.
“Biosecurity is about more than humans; it’s a shared responsibility encompassing animals and plants.
“Lagos’ population density, slum conditions, and pollution create an ideal breeding ground for pathogens,” he said.
He disclosed that a recent WHO Joint External Evaluation of Lagos indicated that the state’s biosecurity preparedness sits at a concerning 36 per cent readiness level.
Bobadoye noted that the evaluation fell short of international standards.
“We need budget allocations and inter-agency coordination to better equip Lagos for epidemic preparedness. “Collaboration across government sectors and with private entities will be essential to prepare Lagos for future challenges,” he said.
Bobadoye also called for the empowerment of veterinary and public health laboratories.
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