By Blessing Bature
The World Health Organization (WHO) has donated eight utility vehicles to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Administration to enhance emergency preparedness and response in Abuja.
This donation aims to strengthen the FCT’s capacity to detect, report, and respond to public health emergencies.
WHO Country Representative in Nigeria, Dr Walter Kazadi Mulombo at the Handover of eight WHO SURGE Vehicles to the FCT administration on Tuesday in Abuja said the move was in support of the strengthening and utilising response groups for emergencies (SURGE) flagship initiative.
Dr Mulombo said the vehicles, procured with the generous support of WHO, are intended to enhance the operational capacity of the FCT Public Health Emergency Response System.
He explained that Africa continues to experience more than 100 health emergencies annually, ranging from disease outbreaks and natural disasters to conflict-driven crises. The COVID-19 pandemic, Ebola, cholera, Lassa fever, and recent anthrax and diphtheria outbreaks have tested our systems and exposed gaps that need urgent attention—especially in the areas of coordination, mobility, workforce readiness, and logistics.
“This is why the SURGE flagship project was designed by WHO Regional Office for Africa (AFRO) to ensure that countries are able to mobilize within 24 hours of a confirmed emergency. The initiative aims to develop a multidisciplinary, trained, and rapidly deployable national workforce, backed by a strong operations and logistics system, all led by the government.
According to him, the handover is part of the Strengthening and Utilising Response Groups for Emergencies (SURGE) flagship initiative, which aims to bolster health emergency preparedness and response within the FCT, adding that FCT is one of six states selected to pioneer the SURGE implementation in Nigeria.
“These vehicles will enhance the FCT’s mobility and rapid deployment capacity for emergency teams, ensuring that critical personnel, supplies, and response efforts reach affected communities swiftly and efficiently”.
“This event reflects WHO’s continued commitment to working hand-in-hand with the Government of Nigeria to strengthen national and sub-national capacity for health emergency preparedness and response”.
He extended his heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Dolapo Fasawe, the Mandate Secretary Health Service and Environment Secretariat, for her unwavering commitment to public health.
Receiving the donation on behalf of the FCTA, Mandate Secretary, Health Services and Environment Secretariat, FCT Administration, Dr. Dolapo Fasawe said using the vehicles would, “improve our health indices and ability to respond to emergencies like in the developed countries”.
Fasawe noted that it was imperative to prioritize robust surveillance systems to protect communities, adding that disease surveillance was the backbone of public health.
“It enables us to detect outbreaks early, respond swiftly, and prevent widespread harm. By monitoring disease trends, we can identify hotspots, track transmission patterns, and inform evidence-based policies”, she said.
Meanwhile, the Director General of the Nigeria Center for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), Dr. Jide Idris appreciated the gesture, adding that its collaboration with WHO had been beneficial.
The DG hinted that NCDC’s mandate is health security, which involves preventing disease outbreaks, tracking data, preparing for emergencies, and responding to them.
“NCDC appreciates partnerships with organizations like WHO, African CDC, and FCT, which have been supportive of their activities, despite resource limitations, the NCDC is grateful for support from partners like WHO, African CDC, and UNICEF”.
He noted that NCDC is currently managing over eight emergencies and emphasizes the importance of emergency preparedness and response.
