BREAKING: FG Unveils €4.2m Health Initiative To Boost Disease Surveillance, Emergency Response
The programme, known as the EU Support to Public Health Institutes in Nigeria (EU SPIN), is being implemented in partnership with the European Union and the World Health Organization (WHO) to improve the country’s response capacity to public health emergencies.
The four-year initiative, valued at about ₦6.7 billion, was officially unveiled in Abuja and is expected to enhance coordination among health institutions at federal, state, and local government levels.
According to officials, the programme will focus on improving disease outbreak detection systems, emergency response coordination, real-time information sharing, and digital health infrastructure across the country.
Speaking at the launch, the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, described the intervention as a significant step toward strengthening Nigeria’s healthcare system and public health security.
He said the initiative aligns with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda and reflects the administration’s commitment to equitable healthcare delivery and improved health outcomes for Nigerians.
“This initiative is designed to strengthen our health institutions and improve the well-being of Nigerians, especially vulnerable populations,” Salako stated.
Nigeria has continued to battle outbreaks of infectious diseases including cholera, Lassa fever, meningitis, diphtheria, and Mpox, alongside the growing burden of non-communicable diseases such as hypertension and diabetes.
Under the EU SPIN initiative, public health institutions are expected to benefit from improved digital tools, enhanced workforce capacity, and better systems for managing health data and coordinating emergency responses.
The programme also aims to train at least 75 per cent of relevant public health personnel in outbreak response and digital health competencies.
European Union Ambassador to Nigeria, Gautier Mignon, said the initiative demonstrates a shared commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s healthcare and disease surveillance systems.
WHO Representative in Nigeria, Dr. Pavel Ursu, also noted that improved coordination, skills development, and digital innovation under the programme would help protect lives and improve community health outcomes.
Stakeholders expressed optimism that by 2028, the initiative would significantly improve Nigeria’s disease surveillance systems, strengthen emergency preparedness, and enhance the reliability of public health data nationwide.
