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. 2021 Jul 9;17(1):79.
doi: 10.1186/s12992-021-00728-x.

From Ebola to COVID-19: emergency preparedness and response plans and actions in Lagos, Nigeria

Akin Abayomi  1   2 , Mobolanle R Balogun  3 , Munir Bankole  1 , Aduragbemi Banke-Thomas  4 , Bamidele Mutiu  1 , John Olawepo  5 , Morakinyo Senjobi  1 , Oluwakemi Odukoya  6 , Lanre Aladetuyi  1 , Chioma Ejekam  7 , Akinsanya Folarin  1 , Madonna Emmanuel  6 , Funke Amodu  1 , Adesoji Ologun  1 , Abosede Olusanya  1 , Moses Bakare  1 , Abiodun Alabi  1 , Ismail Abdus-Salam  1   2 , Eniola Erinosho  1 , Abimbola Bowale  1 , Sunday Omilabu  1   6 , Babatunde Saka  2   8 , Akin Osibogun  2   6 , Ololade Wright  2 , Jide Idris  1 , Folasade Ogunsola  6
Affiliations

From Ebola to COVID-19: emergency preparedness and response plans and actions in Lagos, Nigeria

Akin Abayomi et al. Global Health. .

Abstract

Background: Lagos state is the industrial nerve centre of Nigeria and was the epicentre of the 2014 Ebola outbreak in Nigeria as it is now for the current Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) outbreak. This paper describes how the lessons learned from the Ebola outbreak in 2014 informed the emergency preparedness of the State ahead of the COVID-19 outbreak and guided response.

Discussion: Following the Ebola outbreak in 2014, the Lagos State government provided governance by developing a policy on emergency preparedness and biosecurity and provided oversight and coordination of emergency preparedness strategies. Capacities for emergency response were strengthened by training key staff, developing a robust surveillance system, and setting up a Biosafety Level 3 laboratory and biobank. Resource provision, in terms of finances and trained personnel for emergencies was prioritized by the government. With the onset of COVID-19, Lagos state was able to respond promptly to the outbreak using the centralized Incident Command Structure and the key activities of the Emergency Operations Centre. Contributory to effective response were partnerships with the private sectors, community engagement and political commitment.

Conclusion: Using the lessons learned from the 2014 Ebola outbreak, Lagos State had gradually prepared its healthcare system for a pandemic such as COVID-19. The State needs to continue to expand its preparedness to be more resilient and future proof to respond to disease outbreaks. Looking beyond intra-state gains, lessons and identified best practices from the past and present should be shared with other states and countries.

Keywords: COVID-19; Disease outbreak; Emergency preparedness; Epidemic response; Nigeria.

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Conflict of interest statement

All authors have been involved at different times in the emergency preparedness and response activities of Lagos State.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Timeline of Lagos State’s epidemic preparedness following the 2014 EVD outbreak
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Units of Lagos State’s Emergency Operations Centre
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Structure of the Lagos State Incidence command system
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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