The Director of Pandemic Threats at the Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics (FIND), Dr Emmanuel Agogo, says the next pandemic need not become a global crisis if countries strengthen proactive systems.
Agogo, in an interview in Abuja on Monday, added that consistent investment in resilient health structures was essential to prevent future outbreaks from escalating into worldwide emergencies.
He said the International Day of Pandemic Proactiveness, observed on Dec. 27, underscored lessons from past outbreaks showing that resilience depended on strong services and collaboration.
Agogo said strengthening primary healthcare was vital for early detection and response, urging countries to expand and rethink health workforces, including public health professionals, field epidemiologists, and other critical frontline cadres.
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He referenced Nigeria’s responses to Mpox, COVID-19, and Lassa fever, saying strong public health institutions matter, with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) laying foundations for operational readiness before emergencies strike nationwide.
According to Agogo, Joint External Evaluations under International Health Regulations confirm preparedness succeeds when systems are operationally ready before outbreaks, alongside biosecurity, rapid public protection, and functional national laboratories capacity coordination.
He highlighted innovation, diagnostics, and the 7-1-7 target for detection, notification, and response while urging unified global agreements to ensure equity, accountability, and continued progress from predicting threats to prevention worldwide.
The United Nations-established International Day of Pandemic Preparedness underscores proactive action, reminding governments pandemics can be mitigated through strong systems, trained workers, collaboration, and early warning measures before crises escalate globally.
NAN