The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, NCDC, has conducted a post-corrective action assessment at the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, UATH, in Gwagwalada, to evaluate its readiness to manage suspected and confirmed cases of Ebola Virus Disease.
The assessment focused on the functionality of the hospital’s Ebola treatment centre, its capacity to provide appropriate care for infected patients and the adequacy of existing facilities to accommodate additional cases if the need arises. The exercise was aimed at determining whether identified gaps had been addressed and whether the hospital’s response systems were adequately prepared for a potential outbreak.
The assessment brought together key health partners, including the World Health Organisation, WHO, the United Nations Children’s Fund, UNICEF, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, and representatives of Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital in Edo State. Their participation underscored the importance of collaboration among national and international health institutions in strengthening disease surveillance, treatment capacity and emergency response.
The involvement of the different health agencies also highlighted the need for coordinated planning and the sharing of technical expertise to improve Nigeria’s ability to respond to infectious disease threats. Maintaining functional treatment centres, ensuring the availability of appropriate facilities and strengthening the capacity of healthcare workers remain important aspects of preparedness for Ebola and other public health emergencies.
The NCDC said it would continue working with healthcare facilities and development partners to ensure that response structures remained functional and that the country was better equipped to manage potential Ebola cases. The agency also emphasised the importance of sustained preparedness to support timely detection, effective case management and the prevention of further transmission.
The assessment forms part of ongoing efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s health security and improve the readiness of healthcare institutions to respond to public health emergencies. It also comes amid increased attention to Ebola preparedness, with health authorities focusing on maintaining effective treatment arrangements, strengthening infection prevention and control measures, and ensuring that hospitals can respond appropriately if suspected or confirmed cases are identified.
