FCT rated high on immunisation, needs improvement on emergency capacity

The Nigerian Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Joint External Evaluation (JEE) Report, an Assessment of Health Security Capacities at sub-national level has rated FCT high on immunisation coverage. The Senior Officer, International Health Regulation (IHR), Ms Nsikak Inman, revealed this at the Dissemination of the FCT JEE Report, in Abuja on Monday. Presenting the report, Inman […]

The Nigerian Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Joint External Evaluation (JEE) Report, an Assessment of Health Security Capacities at sub-national level has rated FCT high on immunisation coverage.

The Senior Officer, International Health Regulation (IHR), Ms Nsikak Inman, revealed this at the Dissemination of the FCT JEE Report, in Abuja on Monday.

Presenting the report, Inman said that the FCT was rated high on vaccination coverage as part of a state-level programme, as well as vaccine access and delivery.

She added that FCT equally did well in the surveillance system and reporting network and protocol under surveillance and reporting.

She, however, added that the Administration needs to improve on use of electronic tools and surveillance data analysis.

Other areas of strength include case management capacity for health security related events and Emergency Operations Centres capacities, procedures and plans.

Inman also said that best practices observed during the assessment include multi-sectoral representation and participation, transparency, commitment and state ownership.

Others, she said, were available human resource strategy and annual human resource gap analysis.

She however identified some gaps that need to be addressed, particularly suboptimal collaboration across relevant sectors and secretariat departments and agencies.

“There are also inadequate policies, strategies, guidelines and plans to improve health security in FCT.

“Inadequate laboratory capacity should also be addressed while budget allocation for epidemic preparedness should include animal and environmental sectors,” she said.

Earlier, the Director-General, NCDC, Dr Jide Idris, said that dissemination of the report marks a new beginning in the renewed commitments to building a stronger, more resilient health security system for the FCT.

Represented by Dr Fatima Saleh, Director, Surveillance NCDC, said that the FCTA has shown ownership and leadership, vital for a collective health security.

Responding, Mandate Secretary, Health Services and Environment Secretariat, Dr Adedolapo Fasawe welcomed the reports and reiterated the FCTA’s commitment to do better.

Fasawe, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Dr Baba-Gana Adam, noted that the indicators of the reports would help the FCTA to plan on how to improve on areas of weakness.

Also, the FCT Epidemiologist, Dr Lawal Ademola, emphasised that the FCT has the capacity to detect, respond, and prevent all public health concerns.

Speaking on the FCT performance on immunisation coverage, Executive Secretary, FCT Primary Healthcare Development Board, Dr Ruqayya Wamako attributed the feats to the emphasis on disease prevention in the FCT,