Edino Chubiyo Cornelius 
ADO EKITI, Nigeria – The Ekiti disease outbreak response receives a boost as the state government launches a three-day training programme for health professionals to strengthen emergency preparedness and improve responses to public health emergencies.
The Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr Oyebanji Filani, says investing in the capacity of emergency responders remains critical to protecting residents and ensuring swift responses to disease outbreaks. Represented by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Mrs Olusola Gbenga-Igotun, Filani speaks on Monday at the opening of the Basic Level Public Health Emergency Management training in Ado Ekiti.
He says the initiative reflects the government’s commitment to strengthening public health institutions through continuous capacity building, institutional reforms and collaboration with relevant stakeholders.
According to the commissioner, the programme aligns with national and international standards for emergency preparedness and reinforces efforts to build a resilient healthcare system.
The Permanent Secretary of the Hospitals Management Board, Dr Olasunkanmi Alabi, says the training will improve the competence of health workers and enhance the state’s readiness to manage future public health emergencies.
Executive Secretary of the Ekiti State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr Akintunde Ogunsakin, urges participants to apply the knowledge gained during the programme to improve healthcare delivery in their communities.
The General Manager of the Ekiti State Health Insurance Scheme, Dr Charles Doherty, and the Director of Public Health, Dr Abayomi Ibrahim, describe the initiative as a strategic investment in strengthening the state’s emergency response system.
Earlier, State Epidemiologist Dr Bosede Alowooye says the training equips participants with practical skills in emergency coordination, disease surveillance, preparedness planning, logistics, information management and risk communication.
She notes that the Ekiti disease outbreak response strategy also includes simulation exercises and a review of the Public Health Emergency Operations Centre handbook to improve preparedness for future disease outbreaks.
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Mirian Gom 
Oluwatobi Adu 
Korede Abdullah 