Lagos Trains Frontline Officers to Boost Outbreak Detection Response Capacity
Korede Abdullah 
LAGOS, Nigeria – Lagos ramps up its outbreak preparedness, training frontline surveillance officers to detect and contain disease threats before they escalate into public health crises.
The Lagos State Ministry of Health convenes Disease Surveillance and Notification Officers (DSNOs), laboratory experts and stakeholders for a four-day intensive programme focused on turning real-time health data into rapid response action.
“You are the first point of alert in our system,” says Dayo Lajide, stressing that early warning and accurate reporting remain critical to stopping outbreaks.
Held in Lekki under the theme “From Data to Action,” the training adopts case-based approaches to strengthen field decision-making and emergency response.
Director of Epidemiology Ismail Abdus-Salam says the initiative is designed to improve surveillance systems through practical learning and enhanced digital reporting.
“The goal is to ensure that data leads to action,” he says.
Officials warn that weak information management could trigger public panic during outbreaks, reinforcing the need for structured communication channels.
State Disease Surveillance Officer Lakunle Openiyi adds that the training sharpens analytical skills for faster interventions.
Describing surveillance as critical, Dr Modinat Akiolu warns:
“Missed detection can have devastating consequences.”
Authorities say the programme will significantly strengthen Lagos’ readiness to respond to emerging health threats.
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