Strengthen Ebola preparedness, Pharmacy Academy urges FG

The Nigeria Academy of Pharmacy has urged the Federal Government to strengthen the country’s preparedness for Ebola and other infectious diseases, proposing a 10-point action plan to improve national health security.

The Academy made the call in a statement signed by its President and Chairman of the Governing Council, Prof. Lere Baale, on Thursday, urging the government to establish a coordinated national epidemic-readiness framework covering the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

It warned against complacency over Nigeria’s successful containment of Ebola in 2014, stressing the need to translate past achievements into sustained preparedness.

“Nigeria demonstrated extraordinary leadership, professional competence and national coordination in containing Ebola in 2014. However, yesterday’s success does not automatically guarantee tomorrow’s preparedness,” Baale said.

Outlining the proposed 10-point plan, the Academy called for a nationwide audit of epidemic preparedness to assess surveillance systems, isolation facilities, laboratories, personnel and emergency response capabilities.

The statement read, “The Academy recommended mandatory outbreak simulation exercises for healthcare facilities and response teams. It also proposed integrating registered community pharmacies into disease surveillance through a partnership involving the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria and NAPHARM.

“Other recommendations include measurable laboratory turnaround standards, strategic reserves of essential medical supplies, and the establishment of multidisciplinary epidemic-readiness teams at national and state levels.

“It also called for a healthcare worker protection framework covering infection prevention, occupational safety and psychological support.”

The Academy further proposed coordinated public education to counter misinformation, rehabilitation and reintegration support for survivors, and an annual National Epidemic Preparedness Scorecard to track progress and hold relevant institutions accountable.

Ite said community pharmacies could play a crucial role in early detection because pharmacists are often among the first healthcare professionals consulted by people experiencing fever, weakness and other symptoms.

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The Academy explained that, under a proposed sentinel surveillance pilot, participating pharmacists would receive reporting protocols, referral pathways and guidance on identifying suspected public health threats.

“The initiative would not authorise pharmacists to diagnose Ebola but would strengthen early recognition, referral and notification,” the Academy said.

It also proposed a 90-day implementation framework covering a national readiness audit, laboratory referral mapping, emergency commodity inventories, healthcare worker training and the development of the preparedness scorecard.

The Academy urged the government to link preparedness funding to measurable outcomes and verified operational capacity rather than procurement alone.

It commended the Federal Government, the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, and the NCDC for existing efforts in surveillance, laboratory readiness, infection prevention and control, and public communication.

The Academy said its recommendations were intended to complement ongoing government initiatives rather than duplicate the responsibilities of public health institutions.

Warning against waiting for another outbreak before testing the country’s readiness, the Academy said, “We must not wait for the first imported case to discover whether our surveillance systems, laboratories, emergency supplies, healthcare workforce, and response structures are ready.

“Preparedness is not panic. Preparedness is foresight, competence, coordination and national responsibility. Above all, preparedness saves lives.

“We urge Nigerians to rely on verified public health information, seek medical attention promptly when necessary, disclose relevant travel and exposure histories to healthcare professionals, and avoid spreading rumours or stigmatising suspected patients,” the statement added.