The World Health Organization (WHO) has stressed the need for every country to find their way in the context of their own social, political and economic circumstances in preventing epidemics.
WHO Country Representative, Dr. Walter Kazadi Mulombo said there must be a political commitment to building a strong health system, based on primary care, with an emphasis on disease prevention and health promotion.
Mulombo, disclosed this during the 3rd Nigeria Health Watch Prevent Epidemics Journalism Awards tagged ‘Celebrating Media Excellence for Epidemic Preparedness and Response’ which took place on Saturday, 27th of January 2023.
Mulombo who was represented by the Medical Officer (Emergency Programming and Response), Dr. Victor Tugumizemu at the event stated that the recent COVID- 19 pandemic and other emerging diseases, such as Lassa Fever, and Cholera among others have revealed the gaps in the epidemic preparedness of many countries, including Nigeria. If unchecked, it can result in terrible danger.
According to him: “WHO member states face increasing numbers of emergencies with health consequences from all hazards, including infectious disease outbreaks, conflicts, natural disasters, chemical or radio-nuclear -spills and food contamination.
