Rivers Health Ministry Commissions Public Health Emergency Operations Laboratory

Rivers State Ministry of Health in collaboration with Nigeria Centre for Disease Control has officially commissioned the State’s Public Health Emergency Operations Laboratory in order to handle epidemic and natural disasters outbreak.
Director General, Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, Dr Ohikwe Ihekweazu, while commissioning the Public Health Emergency Operations Centres said, to be effective, it must be situated within the health facilities where there are health personnels.
According to him, the State Public Health Emergency Centre will serve as the hub for detector, prevention, response operation, research, review, efficient resource mobilisation and timely reporting.
“The Public Health Emergency Operations Centre is a physical infrastructure within the Department of Public Health where daily epidemic intelligence gathering and risk analysis of public health events for identification of potential threats aimed at informing stakeholders, and timely response actions to ensure the protection of citizens will be carried out.
“I know Rivers State is a little bit more resourceful than some states in the country, but still we will support you in any way we are supporting other states.
“Before the end of the first quarter, we will procure one Hilux Vehicle for every Public Health facility in Nigeria. Definitely, Rivers State will get its own. We will work with the State; our job is to support you to develop your capacity.
On her part, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Mrs Caroline Wali, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Primary Healthcare Management Board, Dr Harry Agriye, said the emergency operation centre is the command centre for epidemics or natural disasters.
“The Emergency Operations Laboratory is a centre of excellence where the response to incidents are effectively and timely determined and coordinated.
“It has the goal of informing a rapid, efficient and evidence-based decision making on the arrangement of emerging public health threats,” the Permanent Secretary said.

By: Sogbebe Dokubo