….targets cholera, Lassa fever, Mpox, diphtheria, diabetes, hypertension
By Muhammed Danlami
The Federal Government, in collaboration with the European Union (EU) and the World Health Organisation (WHO), has launched a €4.2 million health intervention programme aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s ability to detect and respond to disease outbreaks.
The four-year initiative, known as the EU Support to Public Health Institutes in Nigeria (EU SPIN), is designed to improve disease surveillance, enhance emergency response systems and strengthen coordination among health institutions at the federal, state and local government levels.
Speaking at the launch in Abuja on Monday, the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Salako, described the programme as a major intervention for Nigeria’s healthcare system amid increasing outbreaks of infectious diseases and rising cases of chronic illnesses.
According to Salako, the initiative will help improve the capacity of health institutions and enhance healthcare delivery, particularly for vulnerable populations.
He commended the EU and WHO for supporting Nigeria’s healthcare sector, noting that the programme aligns with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Nigeria has continued to battle recurring outbreaks of cholera, diphtheria, Lassa fever, meningitis and Mpox, while cases of hypertension and diabetes are also on the rise.
WHO statistics indicate that non-communicable diseases account for about 27 per cent of deaths in Nigeria, while the country contributes nearly 30 per cent of global malaria deaths.
Under the EU SPIN programme, health workers and public health officials will receive specialised training in outbreak prevention and emergency response.
The initiative will also introduce digital systems for real-time health data sharing to improve coordination, monitoring and decision-making during health emergencies.
Partners in the programme said the intervention would strengthen collaboration between public health institutions, primary healthcare centres and local communities.
They added that at least 75 per cent of the public health workforce is expected to receive digital skills training under the project.
European Union Ambassador to Nigeria, Gautier Mignon, said the programme reflects the EU’s commitment to supporting stronger and technology-driven public health systems in Nigeria.
He noted that the intervention would help build sustainable health institutions and improve health security across the country.
WHO Representative in Nigeria, Dr. Pavel Ursu, said the initiative would save lives by improving coordination, skills and emergency response capacity.
According to him, stronger digital tools and improved collaboration among health agencies would help communities respond more effectively to outbreaks and public health threats.
The partners said the programme is expected to achieve more efficient coordination among health institutions, clearer operational structures and stronger public health data systems by 2028.
They added that implementation progress would be monitored through national tracking mechanisms and regular joint reviews involving government agencies and development partners.
© 2026, Standard Focus. All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from STANDARD FOCUS.