Nigeria enhances outbreak preparedness through COVID-19 investments

This intervention, designed to support countries during the COVID-19 pandemic, has resulted in stronger disease surveillance systems, improved laboratory networks, enhanced emergency response mechanisms, and a more resilient health infrastructure. The Director-General of NACA, Dr. Temitope Ilori, stated that these investments are now an integral part of Nigeria’s broader health security framework, extending beyond pandemic response. The COVID-19 Response Mechanism supported Nigeria in mitigating the pandemic's impact while strengthening critical health system components and safeguarding progress against HIV, tuberculosis, and malaria.

The intervention funded improvements in areas such as disease surveillance, laboratory systems, infection prevention and control, oxygen infrastructure, cold-chain systems, healthcare workforce capacity, and emergency response operations. A national close-out meeting, convened by NACA in collaboration with the Global Fund and implementing partners, reviewed achievements and lessons learned. Tajudeen Ibrahim, Executive Secretary of the Country Coordinating Mechanism Nigeria, highlighted the program's demonstration of strong partnerships and local ownership in health emergency response.

The Global Fund establish