Search

Nigeria has faced an increasing number of disasters over the last decade including the outbreaks of infectious diseases, air pollution, natural disasters, communal and ethno-religious crises, and acts of terrorism. While Nigeria’s National Health Policy identifies public health emergency preparedness and response as a major policy thrust, with the goal of reducing the burden of public health emergencies, the 2019 Global Health Security Index shows that Nigeria, with a score of 12.5 out of 100, ranks very low in emergency preparedness and response planning. With the projection that Nigeria will likely experience more disasters in the future, it is important to review her current disaster risk reduction framework with particular reference to the health sector and make suggestions for improving response. The current National Disaster Management Framework provides for a comprehensive multisectoral response and incorporates the health ministry/department at all levels of disaster response; however, it does not appear that the framework is well known or utilized by stakeholders. Furthermore, no specific attention is given to the threat of emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases and the associated public health emergencies. Although, the establishment of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control has assisted with addressing some of the gaps in this respect, the response at the sub-national level is still sub-optimal as evidenced by the response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Disaster preparedness and response planning is particularly lacking at healthcare facilities and this article provides a practical guide that will assist stakeholders in the design of an organizational disaster preparedness plan.

This paper presents an epidemiological analysis of the trends in Covid-19 infection in the first 100 days of the pandemic in Nigeria and the response efforts in the country. Data from the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control and other relevant sources were analysed to show the national trend and compare sub-national trends. Analysis revealed that the infection rate is rising in the country despite efforts at lockdown and restriction of movements. Over the 100 days of focus, Nigeria recorded 15,181 cases with a case fatality rate (CFR) of 2.6%. Age 31-40 years had the highest number of cases, while only 8% occurred in individuals over 60 years. All the infections recorded in the first 24 days were in the South-west region. The South-west region had overall highest number of cases (56.7%) but the lowest CFR rate (1.5%), while South South region had the highest CFR (4.8%). CFR ranged from 0% (5 states) to 17% in Anambra State. Lagos, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and Kano – the main hubs of international travel into Nigeria – were the epicentres of the infection and recorded 60% of all cases. Three-fifths of the confirmed cases (60%) were concentrated in 20 Local Government Areas (LGA), comprising 2.6% of the country’s 774 LGAs. Nigeria is performing exceptionally low number of tests (