ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

The federal government on Thursday inaugurated a Presidential Task Force on Ebola Virus Disease Preparedness, declaring that Nigeria would not wait for an outbreak before taking action and vowing to prevent a repeat of the 2014 Ebola scare.

Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, said the task force was established as a proactive measure to ensure the country is fully prepared against any possible outbreak of the deadly disease, even as he confirmed that no case of Ebola has been reported in Nigeria.

Speaking with State House correspondents after inaugurating the task force at the State House, Abuja, Gbajabiamila said the government’s focus is on prevention rather than response, stressing that authorities were determined not to be caught unprepared.

“We did the inauguration today on the preparedness of Nigeria for the Ebola virus disease. We’ve covered a lot of ground. Right now, there’s no reported case, which is good news, and that’s why all hands have to be on deck to make sure the measures we are taking are preventive, not curative.

“We don’t want to be in the situation we were last time, where we had a carrier in the country and we’re all running helter-skelter”, he said.

He disclosed that the task force had established several subcommittees to coordinate critical areas of preparedness, including surveillance, border control, immigration management and emergency response.

According to him, one of the key lessons from the 2014 outbreak is the need for stronger coordination among all stakeholders, particularly between the Federal Government and states with international points of entry.

Gbajabiamila noted that governors and representatives of states hosting international airports, including Lagos, Rivers, Enugu and the Federal Capital Territory, participated in the meeting, describing the collaboration as essential to preventing the virus from entering the country.

He said special attention was also being given to Nigeria’s extensive land borders, warning that disease transmission through informal migration routes posed a significant risk.

“Normally, when people talk about emergency preparedness and cross-border diseases such as this, they think about airports. But now we’re covering not just airports; we’re placing greater emphasis on land borders.

“We have a lot of cross-migration through the land borders, and the Border Control Development Agency is involved, immigration is involved, and a lot of the border communities are involved”, he said.

The Chief of Staff said the government had drawn valuable lessons from the country’s successful containment of the Ebola outbreak in 2014 and was building stronger structures to eliminate gaps in preparedness.

“What we want is a zero case, as we have now. We want to maintain a zero case”, he added.

Also speaking, Director-General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), Dr. Jide Idris, said surveillance systems had already been strengthened at major points of entry across the country, particularly airports.

He confirmed that Nigeria currently has no recorded case of Ebola but stressed that preparedness remained critical given recent developments in parts of Africa.

“The focus is to be prepared. We don’t have any Ebola case here now, but we need to be prepared. We need to ensure that we don’t get that Ebola virus here.

“However, just in case one slips in, we want to be prepared nationally to identify and deal with the case”, Idris said.

The NCDC boss explained that existing disease surveillance and emergency response structures were being upgraded and adapted specifically to address Ebola-related threats.

He said the preparedness framework brings together multiple government institutions, including the ministries of health, interior and education, as well as immigration, border control agencies and state governments.

According to him, emergency preparedness requires a coordinated national response built on teamwork, clearly defined responsibilities and an effective command-and-control structure.

“The bottom line is that the objective is that we do not allow Ebola to come in. If it does come in, we are prepared to rapidly identify and manage the case nationally”, he said.

Idris added that state governments across the federation had already been mobilised as part of the preparedness strategy, with efforts focused on surveillance, early detection, rapid response and public health coordination.

The inauguration of the task force comes amid heightened vigilance across several African countries following renewed concerns over Ebola outbreaks in parts of the continent.

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has issued a 21-day ultimatum to the Federal Government to start implementing a national framework for the protection of healthcare workers, following a growing wave of attacks on medical personnel across the country.

NARD issued the ultimatum at a press briefing to end its Ordinary General Meeting (OGM), which took place in Kano. It also declared an industrial dispute with the government over 14 unresolved demands affecting the health sector.

According to the union’s president, Mohammad Suleiman, the rising cases of assault, intimidation, harassment and violent attacks on doctors pose a serious threat to Nigeria’s already fragile healthcare system.

“The OGM observed with grave concern the disturbing rise in cases of assault, harassment, intimidation and violent attacks against doctors across the country while discharging their professional duties.”

Suleiman described the trend as “barbaric, unacceptable and a dangerous threat” to the survival of the health system.

As part of its resolutions, the association demanded the immediate investigation, arrest, and prosecution of perpetrators of attacks on health workers, while urging the government and security agencies to strengthen protection for medical personnel and facilities nationwide. He further added that,

“Consequently, the OGM gives the Federal Government a 21-day window to commence concrete actions towards the development and implementation of a National Healthcare Workers Assault Prevention and Response Protocol, as well as the initiation of the necessary legislative process to address this menace.”

These include the immediate release and payment of the 2026 Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF), which the association noted remains unpaid despite repeated assurances.

“The OGM demands the release and payment of the 2026 Medical Residency Training Fund to all eligible resident doctors nationwide within the next 21 days,” Suleiman said.

The association also demanded payment of outstanding 25/35 per cent CONMESS arrears, settlement of 19 months of unpaid professional allowance arrears, and clearance of salary and promotion arrears across federal and state health institutions.

It called for correction of discrepancies in professional allowance payments made in May 2026 and settlement of all related arrears.

Welfare and Recruitment Concerns

NARD raised concerns over worsening welfare conditions for house officers, including salary delays, unpaid arrears, and challenges in internship placement and onboarding.

It also demanded full implementation of outstanding provisions in the Medical and Health Workers’ Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) and urged government action on excessive workload, prolonged call-duty hours, casualisation of doctors, and abusive locum appointments.

Suleiman criticised delays by the Federal Character Commission (FCC) in issuing compliance letters, saying it has stalled recruitment and worsened manpower shortages in the health sector.

“The OGM demands the immediate issuance of a letter of compliance by the Chairperson of the FCC within the next 21 days to facilitate employment of healthcare workers and avert further worsening of the brain drain crisis,” the NARD chief said.

The association also called on federal and state tertiary health institutions to urgently address welfare, remuneration, infrastructure, and staffing challenges.

It specifically highlighted unresolved disputes at the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex (OAUTHC), Ile-Ife, and the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), including provision of call meals and alleged victimisation of doctors.

Industrial Dispute Declared

While commending the governors of Osun and Kano states, Ademola Adeleke and Abba Kabir Yusuf, respectively, for interventions in the health sector, NARD warned that failure to meet its demands could trigger further industrial action.

“The Association hereby declares an industrial dispute with the Federal Government on the outlined matters above and cannot guarantee industrial harmony after the 21-day window,” it said.

He added that the association’s National Officers Committee would engage stakeholders during the ultimatum period, after which the National Executive Council would determine the next line of action.

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

For many Nigerians, the arrival of the rainy season brings relief from the scorching heat that characterises the dry months. Farmers look forward to improved crop yields, reservoirs begin to fill up, and residents enjoy cooler temperatures. But alongside these benefits comes a familiar challenge: a rise in illnesses that thrive during the wet season.

Across communities, hospitals and clinics often record increased cases of malaria, typhoid fever, cholera, diarrhoea, respiratory infections and skin diseases. Heavy rainfall frequently leads to flooding, stagnant water, poor sanitation and contamination of food and water sources, creating ideal conditions for disease outbreaks.

In separate chats with Weekend Trust, health experts said that while these illnesses may be common during the rainy season, they are largely preventable when individuals and communities adopt the right coping mechanisms.

Godwin Ekuwke, a medical practitioner at the Kubwa General Hospital, said the key lies in prevention rather than treatment.

“The rainy season does not have to become a season of sickness. Most of the illnesses we see during this period can be prevented through environmental cleanliness, good hygiene and timely medical attention. Communities must understand that prevention is always cheaper and more effective than treatment,” he said.

Experts stress that awareness remains one of the strongest weapons against seasonal diseases. Knowing the health risks associated with the rains can help families take proactive measures before illnesses strike.

Malaria: The most common threat

Malaria remains the most widespread illness during the rainy season. The disease is transmitted by female anopheles mosquitoes, which breed rapidly in stagnant water found in blocked gutters, abandoned containers, potholes and flood-prone areas.

With increased rainfall creating numerous breeding sites, mosquito populations often soar.

Grace Jegede, a public health physician, explained that many malaria cases could be avoided if people paid greater attention to environmental sanitation.

“When rainwater accumulates around homes, it creates perfect breeding grounds for mosquitoes. Residents should ensure that gutters are cleared, water containers are covered, and stagnant water is removed from their surroundings,” she advised.

She further encouraged the consistent use of insecticide-treated mosquito nets.

“Sleeping under treated mosquito nets remains one of the most effective methods of preventing malaria. Families should make it a routine practice, particularly for children and pregnant women who are more vulnerable to severe complications,” she said.

Jegede also warned against self-medication whenever fever develops, saying, “Not every fever is malaria. People should seek a proper diagnosis at health care facilities before taking medication. Early test leads to accurate treatment and reduces complications.”

Health workers say residents can further reduce their risk by wearing protective clothing during the evening hours and using approved mosquito repellents where necessary.

Waterborne diseases lurking in floodwaters

As floodwaters spread through communities during heavy rainfall, another set of health threats emerges. Contaminated water sources often become breeding grounds for dangerous diseases, such as cholera, typhoid fever and acute diarrhoea.

Many outbreaks occur when sewage, refuse, and floodwaters mix with drinking water sources.

A community health practitioner, Dr Aliyu Isah, described water contamination as one of the biggest public health concerns during the rainy season.

“Floodwater carries bacteria, viruses and other harmful organisms into wells, streams and storage containers. Once people consume contaminated water, outbreaks can occur very quickly,” he explained.

To prevent infection, he urged households to prioritise water safety. “Whenever the quality of water is uncertain, it should be boiled before drinking. Water purification tablets and filtration systems can also help. Equally important is keeping storage containers covered at all times,” he advised.

Hand hygiene also plays a significant role in reducing disease transmission.

“Regular hand-washing with soap and clean water before meals and after using the toilet can dramatically reduce cases of diarrhoeal diseases. It is one of the simplest but most effective public health interventions,” he added.

Dr Benjamin Olayiwola, another medical doctor, noted that typhoid fever often increases during periods of poor sanitation.

“People must pay attention to food hygiene. Fruits should be washed thoroughly, meals should be freshly prepared and food should only be purchased from hygienic environments. Prevention begins with the choices we make every day,” Olayiwola said.

He cautioned against indiscriminate use of antibiotics, saying, “Many people treat themselves without proper diagnosis. This can worsen antibiotic resistance and make infections more difficult to manage in the future.”

Respiratory, skin infections on the rise

The rainy season also creates conditions that favour respiratory illnesses, such as common cold, influenza, bronchitis and pneumonia.

Frequent exposure to cold weather, damp clothing and overcrowded indoor environments often contributes to the spread of infections.

According to Dr Amina Abudullahi, a consultant physician, maintaining a healthy immune system is crucial during this period.

She said, “When people spend prolonged periods in wet clothing or poorly ventilated environments, they become more vulnerable to respiratory infections. Staying warm, maintaining good nutrition and practising personal hygiene can significantly reduce the risk.”

She encouraged residents to consume balanced diets rich in fruits and vegetables.

“The body needs adequate nutrients to fight infections. A healthy diet, proper hydration and sufficient rest are important protective measures during the rainy season,” she added.

In addition to respiratory illnesses, skin conditions also become more common.

A dermatologist, Chukwuemeka Ada, said fungal infections frequently increased because of persistent moisture.

“We often see more cases of fungal infections affecting the feet, skin folds and other parts of the body during the rainy season. Moisture creates an environment where fungi thrive,” she said.

She advised residents to maintain proper skin care habits: “After exposure to rain or floodwater, individuals should wash with clean water and soap and dry their skins thoroughly. Footwear should also be kept clean and dry to prevent fungal growth.”

Ada added that cuts and wounds should never be ignored, explaining, “Even small injuries can become infected if they are not cleaned properly. Prompt treatment can prevent more serious complications,” she said.

Prevention remains the best medicine

While health care facilities play an important role in treating illnesses, experts agree that prevention remains the most effective strategy.

Across Nigeria, communities are encouraged to embrace environmental sanitation initiatives aimed at reducing disease risks during the rainy season.

Dr Jegede stressed that collective action is essential. She said, “Individual efforts are important but community participation produces greater results. When residents work together to clear drainages, dispose of waste properly and eliminate stagnant water, everyone benefits.”

Health practitioners also recommend that households prepare basic emergency supplies, including oral rehydration salts, antiseptics, soap, clean drinking water and first-aid materials.

Parents are advised to monitor children closely for symptoms, such as fever, diarrhoea, persistent cough, breathing difficulties or unusual weakness and seek medical care promptly.

Ekuwke believes that public education must continue throughout the rainy season.

“People need consistent reminders about hygiene, sanitation and disease prevention. Awareness saves lives because informed individuals are more likely to take preventive action,” he said.

For vulnerable groups such as pregnant women, infants, elderly persons and those living with chronic illnesses, extra caution is necessary.

“These groups often suffer the most severe consequences when infections occur. Early medical attention can make a significant difference,” he noted.

As the rains continue to fall across the country, experts insist that Nigerians should not view seasonal illnesses as inevitable. With proper sanitation, safe drinking water, mosquito control measures, healthy living habits and prompt medical attention, many rainy season diseases can be prevented.

“The rains should bring growth and renewal, not sickness and suffering. When communities embrace preventive measures, they protect not only themselves but also their neighbours,” Dr Abudullahi said.