FG approves N45.8bn airport surveillance system to detect Ebola, different pathogens

The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has authorized a N45.8 billion biosecurity and illness surveillance venture for 5 worldwide airports to strengthen Nigeria’s defences towards Ebola and different infectious ailments getting into the nation.

Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Ali Pate, disclosed this on Wednesday whereas briefing State House correspondents on the finish of the FEC assembly presided over by President Bola Tinubu on the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

He mentioned the venture would supply early warning, detection and response methods at main entry factors, together with a National Surveillance Operations Centre to coordinate real-time monitoring and responses to suspected outbreaks.

He mentioned the services shall be deployed on the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos; Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja; Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano; Port Harcourt International Airport; and Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu.

He mentioned the council authorized the venture’s full enterprise case and a 20-year public-private partnership concession to BioHealth Consortium.

“Since COVID, we have known that there are significant vulnerabilities in terms of public health threats crossing borders and the need for coordinated, technology-driven systems for early warning, detection and response to emerging infectious disease threats,” he mentioned.

He mentioned greater than 18 million passengers move by Nigeria’s airports yearly, making efficient surveillance at entry factors important.

He mentioned venture will incorporate wastewater surveillance related to plane, air and floor sampling gear, cargo and baggage monitoring applied sciences and trendy laboratories for fast analysis.

He mentioned its operations will combine with these of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, Port Health Services, the Nigeria Customs Service, the Nigeria Immigration Service, and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control.

The minister mentioned classes from Nigeria’s latest response to an imported Ebola case helped inform the initiative.