24 Hour Emergency Aid
The Kwara State Government has organised a workshop on Emergency Preparedness and Response to Viral Hemorrhagic Fevers (VHFs) as part of efforts to prevent outbreaks of highly infectious diseases such as Lassa fever, Ebola, and other viral hemorrhagic fevers in the state.
The Chief Medical Director of Kwara State University Teaching Hospital (KWASUTH), Dr. Bola Ahmed, disclosed this during the workshop held at the hospital’s seminar room in Ilorin last weekend.
Dr Ahmed, who was represented by the Chief Medical Advisory Committee (CMAC), Dr Ogunlaja Idowu, said the training was organised to sensitise health workers and strengthen the institution’s capacity to respond effectively to infectious disease threats, especially in view of reported cases in some parts of the country.
According to him, hospitals must remain proactive and well-prepared in the face of public health emergencies, particularly outbreaks of viral haemorrhagic fevers.
He explained that participants would be trained on key emergency response measures, including early detection, infection prevention protocols, proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE), isolation procedures, and coordinated response strategies within the hospital environment.
In her remarks, the State Epidemiologist from the Ministry of Health, Dr Kamaldeen Khadeejah, said the State had intensified surveillance across hospitals to ensure early detection and prompt response to any suspected illness.
She reaffirmed the commitment of the Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq-led administration to strengthen infection prevention systems and ensure that health workers are equipped with the knowledge and skills required for rapid and effective response to public health threats.
Also speaking, the Deputy Director of Public Health and the State focal person for the Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) Team, Dr. Muhammad AbdulRashid, said the workshop was facilitated by the hospital’s IPC Team, which is responsible for promoting a safe healthcare environment and supporting national and global infectious disease control efforts.
He commended the resource persons for their presentations and emphasised the importance of continuous training and preparedness in protecting healthcare workers, patients, and the wider community.
The lecture was delivered by the Chairman of the KWASUTH IPC Committee, who also serves as the Deputy Chairman of the Medical Advisory Committee (DCMAC).
Participants at the event expressed appreciation to the State Government for the timely intervention, noting that the workshop would go a long way in preventing viral disease outbreaks and sustaining quality healthcare delivery in Kwara State.
The Deputy Chief Medical Advisory Committee and the Chairman KWASUTH Infectious Prevention and Control Team, Dr Ismail Obalowu presenting paper on Emergency Preparedness on Viral Hemorrhagic Fevers, during the workshop, held at Seminar room KWASUTH, Ilorin, yesterday.
Cross section of participants during the Workshop on Emergency Preparedness on Viral Hemorrhagic Fevers, held at Seminar room KWASUTH,Ilorin, yesterday.
LR: State Epidemiologist, Kwara State Ministry of Health, Dr. Kamaldeen Khadeejah, State Laboratory Focal Person, Mr. Abdullah I Muhammad and Deputy Director, Public Health and State Focal Person of Infectious Prevention and Control, Dr. Muhammad Oyeniyi Rashid during the Workshop on the Boost Emergency Preparedness on Viral Hemorrhagic Fevers,held at Seminar room KWASUTH, yesterday.
Yakub Kamaldeen
Head, Corporate Affairs,
KWASUTH.
