The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), in partnership with the Lagos State Government and Port Health Services, has strengthened surveillance measures at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, to prevent the entry and spread of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) into Nigeria.
The move follows growing concerns over the recent Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), prompting authorities to intensify screening and monitoring procedures for international passengers arriving in the country.
A joint delegation comprising officials from FAAN, the Lagos State Ministry of Health, and Port Health Services conducted an inspection of airport facilities on Sunday to evaluate the airport’s preparedness to detect, contain, and respond to any potential Ebola-related threat.
Among those who participated in the inspection were the Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Emmanuel Akinola Abayomi; MMIA Airport Manager, Olatokunbo Arewa; FAAN’s General Manager of Aviation Medical Services, Dr. Ibrahim Bilikisu; the Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Ministry of Health, Dr. Dayo Lajide; the Governor’s Special Adviser on Health, Dr. Kemi Ogunyemi; and the State Epidemiologist, Dr. Ismail Adeshina Abdus-Salam.
During the visit, Prof. Abayomi praised FAAN and other stakeholders for taking proactive steps to safeguard the country against the possible importation of Ebola. He stressed the importance of maintaining heightened vigilance and strengthening surveillance, particularly for travelers arriving from countries identified as high-risk.
He noted that effective mechanisms must remain in place to identify, isolate when necessary, and monitor passengers from affected regions while ensuring strict adherence to public health guidelines.
According to the commissioner, continuous collaboration among health and aviation authorities is essential to preventing the spread of infectious diseases through Nigeria’s busiest international gateway.
Speaking on behalf of FAAN, Airport Manager Olatokunbo Arewa reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to enforcing all required health and safety protocols. He emphasized the need for close cooperation among all stakeholders and urged swift action whenever symptoms associated with Ebola are detected in travelers.
“Timely detection, reporting, and response remain critical to preventing the transmission of infectious diseases within and beyond the airport environment,” he said.
Also addressing the delegation, Dr. Abdullahi Lawal, Officer-in-Charge of Port Health Services and Head of the Point of Entry team at MMIA, disclosed that the airport’s emergency preparedness and response framework had been reviewed and updated.
He explained that detailed risk assessments had been conducted, airlines operating from high-risk countries had been identified, and health screening forms were being administered to passengers arriving from such destinations. He added that stakeholders had been assigned specific responsibilities under the emergency response plan.
Dr. Ibrahim Bilikisu further stated that FAAN and the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) have continued to collaborate closely by sharing information and coordinating response efforts in line with international health regulations and global best practices.
She also noted that airport workers and relevant stakeholders have undergone training and sensitisation programmes to equip them with the knowledge required to identify, report, and respond effectively to potential public health emergencies.
As part of the assessment exercise, the Lagos State delegation inspected critical areas of the airport to verify compliance with established Ebola screening, surveillance, and prevention measures.
The inspection highlighted the determination of both health and aviation authorities to maintain a high level of preparedness and ensure that MMIA remains capable of responding effectively to any public health threat that may arise.
A story of courage, wonder, and the transformative power of self-belief; perfect for readers aged 10+ who love adventure. To place order: +234 806 130 3237 | +234 803 582 0870 OR Tap the link to grab a copy:https://www.zeekapublish.com/product/the-magical-life-of-anna
