Prof. Oyewale Tomori, a distinguished virologist and former President of the Nigerian Academy of Science (NAS), has raised alarms over Nigeria’s inadequate preparedness for the recent monkeypox (mpox) outbreak. In a recent interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja, Tomori emphasized the urgent need for the country to strengthen its disease surveillance systems, enhance laboratory support, and accelerate plans for local vaccine production to effectively manage such outbreaks and future health crises.
Tomori’s comments underscore a critical moment for Nigeria’s healthcare system, as the country grapples with the challenges posed by emerging infectious diseases like monkeypox. “A comprehensive approach to disease control and response is essential for national preparedness in managing mpox and addressing other present and future disease threats,” Tomori stated. He further highlighted that Nigeria’s ability to combat these diseases hinges on the robustness of its surveillance systems, which are currently underdeveloped.
“Surveillance is the cornerstone of disease control. Vigilance is essential for avoiding disease outbreaks. Without early detection and monitoring, we will always be scrambling to catch up with advancing diseases,” he warned. Tomori’s concerns reflect a broader issue within Nigeria’s public health infrastructure, where a reactive approach to disease outbreaks has often led to delayed responses and exacerbated public health crises.
Drawing attention to the ongoing mpox outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Tomori pointed out that poor surveillance in the region allowed the disease to spread to neighboring countries, serving as a cautionary tale for Nigeria. “Effective disease control involves several critical components: rapid detection, timely reporting, laboratory confirmation, isolation, and treatment of cases. Proper data management is crucial for implementing a suitable response, controlling the spread of the disease, and preventing a larger national or international emergency,” he explained.
Tomori also criticized Nigeria’s lack of preparedness for potential monkeypox outbreaks, stressing that the country cannot afford to remain in a reactive position when it comes to public health. He urged Nigerian leaders to take proactive measures to ensure that the healthcare system is equipped to handle such emergencies. According to Tomori, the current state of unpreparedness not only puts the country at risk but also threatens to undermine the progress made in combating other infectious diseases.
In addition to calling for improved surveillance and response mechanisms, Tomori underscored the importance of African leadership in the fight against infectious diseases. He highlighted the African Centre for Disease Control’s (Africa CDC) decision to declare monkeypox a continental emergency before the World Health Organization (WHO) recognized it as a global emergency. “This marks a pivotal shift in Africa’s approach to health crises,” Tomori said, noting that such leadership is crucial for the continent to take control of its health challenges rather than relying on external interventions.
Tomori’s remarks come at a time when the global health community is increasingly recognizing the importance of localized responses to disease outbreaks.
