WHO donates emergency response vehicles to FCTA

In a bid to bolster emergency preparedness and response in Nigeria, the World Health Organization (WHO) has donated eight utility vehicles to the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA).

The handover ceremony, held in Abuja, marked a key milestone in the ongoing Avoca Surge flagship initiative. WHO Representative in Nigeria, Dr Walter Kazadi Mulombo, described the donation as a crucial step in strengthening the country’s emergency health response system.

While formally presenting the vehicles to the FCTA, Dr Mulombo stated that the handover aligns with the objectives of the Avoca Surge initiative, which seeks to develop a multidisciplinary, well-trained, and rapidly deployable national workforce capable of responding to public health emergencies within 24 hours.

“This gesture is more than symbolic; it is a tangible investment in emergency operations, logistics, risk communication, and workforce development, the four pillars of the Avoca Surge initiative,” he said.

Dr Mulombo commended the FCT’s prompt and effective response to recent outbreaks, particularly the diphtheria outbreak, which was contained within a week through the early deployment of surge teams and decisive leadership under the Mandate Secretary of the Health Services and Environmental Secretariat, Dr Adedolapo Fasawe.

He also acknowledged the Federal Ministry of Health, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), and other development partners for their commitment to strengthening health security, stressing the urgent need for continued preparedness against emerging public health threats.

“Africa experiences over 100 health emergencies annually,” Dr Mulombo noted. “This initiative ensures that countries like Nigeria are better positioned to respond swiftly and effectively, thereby minimising loss of life and safeguarding public health.”

He reaffirmed WHO’s continued support through additional technical and logistical assistance and revealed that similar interventions are being planned for the remaining five pilot states.

Receiving the vehicles on behalf of the FCTA, Dr Adedolapo Fasawe highlighted the critical importance of disease surveillance and emergency preparedness in protecting public health. She expressed gratitude to the WHO and other development partners for their ongoing support in surveillance and collaborative efforts.

“I am particularly pleased to see the NCDC and other partners present. Since the beginning of the Renewed Hope administration, we have worked together to contain epidemics using data and technology,” Dr Fasawe said.

Also speaking at the event, Director-General of the NCDC, Dr Jide Idris, emphasised the role of strong partnerships in enhancing Nigeria’s emergency health response capacity. He noted that health security is a wide-ranging and essential mandate that requires robust surveillance, real-time data tracking, rapid response, and the strategic deployment of trained personnel nationwide.

Ifeoma Nwovu