A medical researcher, Dr Bamidele Iwalokun, on Thursday called for synergy among health institutions during health emergency like the COVID-19 for effective monitoring, prevention, and management.
Iwalokun, also a Deputy Director at the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR), told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that such synergy would help in managing health emergencies.
Reacting to the reported cases of Coronavirus in Nigeria, he enjoined health institutions in the country to work together to contain the spread of the virus.
“COVID-19 is a public health emergency, and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control is expected to coordinate it.
“We have many institutions that can partake in public health response, but the logistics to engage the various institutions is a major challenge.
“All these institutions have different mandates gear toward addressing public health and improving the wellness of Nigerians.
“But what is required now is a synergy among these institutions.
“The institutions need to work as a team and request for funds so that funding will be harmonized and government would not be blamed,’’ the medical researcher said.
Iwalokun, also Deputy Director, Research at the Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, said it was important for relevant health institutions to be effectively engaged.
According to him, tasks should be decentralized to the different health institutions based on their specifications.
“If we can explore all these and the technical support from the World Health Organisation (WHO) and other international bodies during a public health emergency, it will bring about an optimal response,” he said. (NAN)
