The Ekiti State Government has inaugurated the Public Health Emergency Operations Centre (PHEOC) Steering Committee to strengthen the state’s health security architecture and emergency preparedness.
Speaking at the inauguration in Ado-Ekiti, the Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr Oyebanji Filani, described the development as a significant milestone in the state’s commitment to safeguarding the health and well-being of residents.
Filani said recent global and local public health challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic and recurring outbreaks of cholera, Lassa fever, measles and other infectious diseases, had highlighted the need for a coordinated emergency preparedness and response mechanism.
According to him, the establishment and strengthening of the Public Health Emergency Operations Centre represent a strategic investment in the health, safety and resilience of the people of Ekiti State.
“The steering committee is expected to provide strategic direction, policy guidance, oversight and high-level coordination necessary for the effective functioning of the centre,” he said.
The commissioner, who chairs the committee, noted that recent Ebola outbreaks in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda remained a source of global public health concern.
He reiterated the commitment of the administration of Gov. Biodun Oyebanji to strengthening the state’s healthcare system to effectively respond to disease outbreaks and other public health emergencies.
Filani added that the government would continue to invest in surveillance systems, workforce development, laboratory strengthening, risk communication and emergency coordination mechanisms, stressing that preparedness was more cost-effective and impactful than emergency response.
Earlier, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health and Human Services, Mrs Olusola Gbenga-Igotun, described the inauguration as a step in the right direction.
She said the committee would strengthen inter-sectoral collaboration, support resource mobilisation, ensure accountability and promote the sustainability of emergency preparedness efforts across the state.
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Gbenga-Igotun expressed confidence that members of the committee would effectively discharge their responsibilities and help build a responsive and resilient system capable of protecting residents from public health threats.
Also speaking, the Director of Public Health, Dr Ibrahim Abayomi, said the committee would serve as the highest advisory and oversight body, providing strategic leadership and policy direction for the effective functioning of the Public Health Emergency Operations Centre.
The State Epidemiologist, Dr Bosede Alowooye, explained that the centre serves as the nerve centre for preparedness, coordination, rapid response and resource mobilisation during public health emergencies.
According to her, the centre provides a structured platform for experts, government institutions, development partners and emergency responders to coordinate timely and effective responses to disease outbreaks and disasters.
Other members of the committee include the Commissioner for Information, Rt. Hon. Taiwo Olatunbosun; Commissioner for Environment, Erelu Tosin Ajisafe-Aluko; Commissioner for Finance and Economic Development, Mr Akin Oyebode; Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Mr Femi Ajayi; Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Mr Ebenezer Boluwade; and the Director-General/Special Adviser, Office of Transformation and Service Delivery, Dr John Ekundayo, among others.