The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Iziaq Adekunle Salako, has said that pandemics are inevitable, stressing the need for countries to remain prepared for swift and effective responses.
Speaking at a public health symposium in Abuja themed “Lessons on Pandemic Preparedness and Response: Insights from China and Nigeria,” Salako noted that the next global health crisis is a matter of time, not possibility.
He explained that the COVID-19 pandemic, which claimed over seven million lives worldwide, exposed weaknesses in global health systems while also highlighting the importance of collaboration and resilience.
According to the minister, Nigeria has made significant progress in strengthening its health security framework. These include the digitalisation of infectious disease surveillance through SORMAS, improved training of healthcare workers, expansion of diagnostic capacity with over 100 public health laboratories, and the establishment of infectious disease centres and emergency operation centres across all states and the Federal Capital Territory.
He added that these efforts have improved Nigeria’s technical evaluation score from 39 percent in 2017 to 54 percent in 2023.
Salako also referenced China’s response to the COVID-19 outbreak, describing it as rapid and disciplined, and emphasised the role of technology and community mobilisation in managing health emergencies.
He noted that under the administration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu, health security has been prioritised as a key pillar of the health sector renewal investment initiative.
The minister further highlighted ongoing efforts such as the 7-1-7 target, the SITAware Transition Project, and the adoption of the One Health approach, which integrates human, animal, and environmental health systems.
He also revealed that Nigeria is actively participating in negotiations for a global pandemic agreement under the World Health Organization, demonstrating its commitment to international cooperation.
Salako concluded by calling for a whole-of-society approach involving governments, private sector players, communities, researchers, and global partners to ensure readiness for future health emergencies.
He urged stakeholders to focus on practical policies, innovation, and partnerships to build resilient systems capable of protecting lives and ensuring global health equity.
