The Ekiti State Government has inaugurated a Public Health Emergency Operations Centre (PHEOC) Steering Committee to strengthen the state’s capacity to prevent, detect and respond to disease outbreaks and other health emergencies.
Speaking during the inauguration ceremony in Ado Ekiti on Thursday, the Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr. Oyebanji Filani, said the committee was established in response to growing public health challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic and recurring outbreaks of cholera, Lassa fever, measles and other infectious diseases.
Filani, who chairs the committee, described the initiative as a significant milestone in the state’s efforts to protect residents and build a resilient healthcare system capable of addressing emerging health threats.
According to him, the Public Health Emergency Operations Centre will serve as a critical platform for coordinating responses to public health emergencies, while the steering committee will provide strategic leadership, policy direction and oversight to ensure its effective operation.
He also expressed concern over recent Ebola outbreaks in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda, noting that such developments underscore the need for continuous preparedness and vigilance.
The commissioner reaffirmed Governor Biodun Oyebanji’s commitment to strengthening healthcare delivery and emergency response systems across the state through investments in disease surveillance, workforce capacity building, laboratory services, risk communication and emergency coordination.
He stressed that proactive preparedness remains a more effective and less costly approach than responding to emergencies after they occur.
In her remarks, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, Mrs. Olusola Gbenga-Igotun, said the inauguration of the committee would enhance collaboration among relevant sectors, improve resource mobilisation and ensure accountability in emergency preparedness efforts.
She expressed confidence that members of the committee would effectively carry out their responsibilities in building a responsive health system capable of protecting residents from disease outbreaks and other public health threats.
Also speaking, the Director of Public Health, Dr. Ibrahim Abayomi, said the committee would serve as the highest advisory and oversight body for the Public Health Emergency Operations Centre.
The State Epidemiologist, Dr. Bosede Alowooye, explained that the centre would function as a coordination hub for preparedness, rapid response, resource mobilisation and stakeholder collaboration during disease outbreaks and disasters.
She noted that the platform would bring together experts, government agencies, development partners and emergency responders to ensure swift and coordinated action during public health emergencies.
Members of the committee include the Commissioner for Information, Taiwo Olatunbosun; Commissioner for Environment, Tosin Ajisafe-Aluko; Commissioner for Finance, Akin Oyebode; Commissioner for Budget, Femi Ajayi; Commissioner for Agriculture, Ebenezer Boluwade; and the Director-General of the Office of Transformation and Service Delivery, Dr. John Ekundayo.
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