Editoral
One Year of COVID-19 Response in Nigeria: Lessons Learnt for Future Response
Posted: 05-03-2021 08:14:21 AM
On February 27th, 2020, Nigeria recorded her first case of coronavirus disease (COVID-19). As at March 2nd, 2021, we have unfortunately lost over 1,900 Nigerians and also recorded over 150,000 cases to COVID-19. The COVID-19 pandemic is the largest and longest outbreak in modern times, with socio-economic, political and educational disruptions.
The novelty of the virus has resulted in numerous challenges globally. In Nigeria, the Federal Government has provided leadership and rapid investment in national health security. Diligent planning and hard work have been essential in providing necessary human, material and financial resources to fight the spread of the virus. The Presidential Task Force (PTF) established by the President Muhammadu Buhari has continued to strategically pilot the leadership and coordination of outbreak response ensuring continued communication with the public.
One year into the outbreak, NCDC has continued to work with other institutions in strengthening Nigeria’s health security. This includes the rapid scale up of laboratory services, establishment of Public Health Emergency Operations Centres among others. The unflinching dedication of our frontline workers across all pillars of response has been our greatest asset.
So far, we have learnt key lessons and best practices to control COVID-19 in Nigeria. This has led to the establishment of structures that will enable better preparedness for future outbreaks.
1. Response Coordination: The NCDC has successfully established Public Health Emergency Operation Centres integrating a call centre, and other resources to manage this outbreak in all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory
2. Epidemic Intelligence: A digital surveillance system (SORMAS) for real-time reporting of surveillance data has been rolled put across all states
3. Improved Nationwide COVID-19 Diagnostic Capacity: Nigeria now has molecular laboratories established in every state for public health diagnosis
4. Logistics Management System: A national stockpile of response commodities (laboratory and hospital) has been established for improved diagnostics and case management
5. Risk Communication: We have continued to intensify risk communication activities with increased awareness of preventive and protective measures among Nigerians etc.
We remain grateful for the strong partnerships and coordination that have enabled the response so far. We are grateful to Nigerians for their resilience, our frontline public workforce for their commitment, our partners for their solidarity, and Federal and State Governments for their investment in health security. The COVID-19 pandemic is not over, and we must continue working towards protecting our health security.
Summary of Incidents
Notes
1. Information for this disease was retrieved from the Technical Working Group and Situation Reports
2. Case Fatality Rate (CFR) for this disease is reported for confirmed cases only
3. Information for this disease was retrieved from IDSR 002 data
4. CFR for this disease is reported for total cases i.e. suspected + confirmed
5. Information for sentinel influenza was retrieved from the laboratory
Lassa Fever
Key points
• There were 91 suspected cases, 17 were laboratory confirmed and six deaths were recorded from ten LGAs in three states
Actions
To date:
• Conducted 2021 Lassa fever high burden states preparedness/response engagement meeting
• Dissemination of reviewed case management and safe burial practices guidelines
• Implementation of Lassa fever Environmental response campaign in high burden states by Federal Ministry of Environment
Planned:
• Pilot indigent patient treatment scheme through the basic healthcare provision fund
• Finalise Lassa fever five-year strategic plan
Cerebrospinal Meningitis (CSM)
Key points
• There were eight suspected cases of Cerebrospinal Meningitis (CSM) reported from 6 LGAs in three States (Adamawa – 2, Bauchi – 1 & Katsina – 5). None was laboratory confirmed and no death was recorded
Actions
To date:
• National CSM TWG meets weekly to review reports from States and plan appropriately
• Enhanced surveillance in all states
Planned:
• Continue harmonisation of the national line list and SORMAS data
• Continue to ensure that States reporting cases send their line lists and collect CSM samples
Yellow Fever
Key points
• There were 27 suspected cases of Yellow Fever (YF) reported from 26 LGAs in 12 States and FCT. None was laboratory confirmed and no death was recorded
Actions
To date:
• National YF multi-partner Technical Working Group (TWG) continues to coordinate activities across States.
• Daily monitoring and analysis of surveillance data across the country to guide response activities
Planned:
• Continue to support affected states across all pillars of response
• Continue harmonisation of surveillance and laboratory data ongoing
Cholera
Key points
• There were 12 suspected cases of Cholera reported from 3 LGAs in three States (Delta – 9, Kaduna – 2 & Kano – 1). None was laboratory confirmed and no death was recorded
Actions
To date
• National Cholera Multi-Sectoral Technical Working Group (TWG) is monitoring all states and supporting affected States
Planned:
• Continue follow up and monitoring of non-reporting states
• Continue harmonisation of the national line list and SORMAS data
Measles
Key points
• There were 289 suspected cases of Measles reported from 81 LGAs in 20 States & FCT. None was laboratory confirmed and one death was recorded
Actions
To date
• National Measles TWG is closely monitoring measles surveillance data and providing feedback to relevant agencies and development partners
• Weekly surveillance and laboratory data harmonisation ongoing
Planned:
• Intensify follow up with States to update and transmit line list
• Continue monthly measles surveillance data review
Monkeypox
Key points
• There were three suspected case of monkeypox reported from three LGAs in two states (Bayelsa – 1 & Delta – 2). One was laboratory confirmed and no death was recorded
Actions
To date
• National Monkeypox Technical Working Group (TWG) is monitoring activities in all States
Planned:
• Enhance surveillance for Monkeypox in high burden States
• Continue harmonisation of the national line list and SORMAS data
Acute Flaccid Paralysis (AFP)
Key points
• There were 45 suspected cases of AFP reported from 39 LGAs in 22 States and FCT. None was laboratory confirmed and no death was recorded
National Influenza Sentinel Surveillance
Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19)
Actions
To date:
• National COVID-19 multi-partner Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) continues to coordinate response activities across states
• Commenced the Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) basic course for IPC focal points from health facilities in Orange Network
• Trained supply chain staff on enhanced forecasting and stockpiling for improved tracking of utilisation at the facility level
• Deployed commodities to the Teaching Hospitals in Yola, Katsina and Kebbi States
Planned:
• Deploy additional Rapid Response Teams to support states
• Finalise Local Government Area (LGA)/State transmission categorisation
• Support supervisory visits to private laboratories in FCT
Timeliness and Completeness of Reports
Timeliness and Completeness of Reports by State