By Rotimi Odofin LOKOJA — The Kogi State Ministry of Health has activated an Incident Action Plan (IAP) committee to strengthen the state’s preparedness for a possible Ebola disease outbreak, with emphasis on surveillance, coordinated response and effective disease control. The initiative is designed to provide a unified framework for coordinating preparedness and response activities, updating existing strategies, and strengthening the state’s capacity to prevent and contain any potential outbreak. The State Epidemiologist Dr Augustine Ojotule disclosed this while inaugurating the IAP committee on Ebola disease control, explaining that a work plan had already been developed based on lessons from previous outbreaks in the country. He said the existing plan would be reviewed, updated, and upgraded to align with global standards for disease prevention, control, and elimination while safeguarding the health of residents and visitors to the state. According to him, the Incident Action Plan is a proactive strategy aimed at strengthening surveillance and ensuring that the state is adequately prepared to detect, prevent, and contain any possible introduction or spread of the disease. Dr Ojotule explained that the framework would provide strategic direction for coordinated action among relevant stakeholders, with clearly defined thematic areas to guide preparedness and response efforts. The epidemiologist emphasised the importance of strengthening the state’s surveillance system and ensuring that the response framework remained responsive to evolving public health standards and emerging disease threats. He commended the Coordinating Commissioner for Health, Dr Abdulazeez Adams Adeiza, for providing the necessary support, guidance, and resources towards developing …
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