FG launches strategic plan to safeguard public health

The Federal Government has launched strategic plans to strengthen One Health plan as proactive action to safeguard public health against potential infectious diseases threats in Nigeria.

The National One Health Steering Committee (NOHSC) meeting, was held in Abuja to aggregate ideas on the critical importance of adopting a One Health approach to address public health lapses.

The objectives of the meeting was to discuss and provide guidance to the National One Health Technical Committee on the potential spill over of zoonotic diseases from fruit bats to protect the health and well-being of Nigerians and provide policy advice on research conducted on One Health priority pathogens.

The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, and the Chairman of the National One Health Steering Committee(NOHSC), Prof. Ali Pate, at the NOHSC meeting explained that a specific attention was drawn to the current challenge posed by fruit bats, which have been exposed to infectious agents with the potential to cause large outbreaks.

Pate, therefore, reiterated Federal government’s proactive measures by focusing on prevention rather than reactive responses after a crisis.

“The government aims to discourage the practice of hunting fruit bats, emphasizing the potential risks to human health. Furthermore, efforts will be made to improve wildlife surveillance in the animal sector.

“In an effort to secure additional resources, Nigeria plans to submit an application to the pandemic fund, collaborating with other African countries to ensure a coherent, multisectoral push for global health security.”

He also urged the media and civil society organizations to focus on prevention rather than waiting for crises to unfold as he also advocated a shift in behavioral approaches, for proactive measures and collaboration across ministries.

“The goal is to prevent infectious disease threats, such as the spillover from fruit bats or other animal reservoirs, rather than reacting to crises.”

“As the government aligns with global health security objectives, the collaborative effort seeks to guarantee Nigeria’s health security for the benefit of both the nation and the international community.”

Meanwhile, the Director General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention(NCDC), Dr Ifedayo Adetifa, represented by the NCDC Head of Department for Surveillance and Epidemiology, Dr. Oyeladun Okunromade in her presentation shared findings from a joint risk assessment on bat-borne diseases and disclosed that bat colonies in Nigeria, particularly in Benue State, pose a moderate risk of zoonotic spillover to humans due to practices like capturing and consuming bats.

She said: “The study identified potential exposure to pathogenic viruses, including Ebola and influenza, there is need for risk mitigation.

“The assessment, led by Dr. Myro from the Ministry of Agriculture, involved multiple ministries and stakeholders. It concluded that there is a moderate likelihood and impact of individuals being infected with zoonotic pathogens from bat-related activities in the next six months.”

Okunromade, therefore, recommended that there should be improve surveillance, conducting further research on bat behaviour and viruses, and raising awareness among communities engaging in bat-related practices.

“The importance of a One Health approach and proposed measures such as hand washing and wearing personal protective equipment to minimize transmission risks.”

“The next steps outlined involve conducting neurological studies in selected states, launching awareness campaigns on the dangers of bats, and continuing research on serological and epidemiological aspects of bat-borne viruses.”