The Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria, (ACPN) has called on the Federal Government
to shelve the proposal to establish a new National Health Regulatory facility, stating that it would be wasteful and inefficient.

In a position statement released on Thursday, jointly signed by the  Chairman, Ambrose Eze, and Secretary, Omokhafe Ashore, ACPN said  “The Federal Government must exercise discretion as it cannot continue to approbate and reprobate.

In one swoop the Federal Government said that it does not have money to cater for existing regulatory councils and in another vein it is contemplating setting up a new National Health Regulatory facility “which shall regulate across the country.”

The ACPN also emphasised the importance of respecting the constitutional framework for regulating healthcare professions in Nigeria.

The association pointed out that pharmacy matters are exclusively regulated by the Federal Government, while other health professions are regulated by both the Federal Government and the state governments.

They urged the Federal Ministry of Health to focus on strengthening existing regulatory bodies, such as the Pharmaceutical Council of Nigeria (PCN), the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), and the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN).

The Lagos State Government has unveiled a series of comprehensive public health initiatives.

These are in response to the growing global concern over the Mpox virus, particularly the newly identified Clade 1B variant.

During a media briefing held at Protea Hotel, Alausa Ikeja, the State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, outlined the state’s multipronged strategy to shield Lagos from this emerging threat.

Prof. Abayomi announced three significant milestones as part of Lagos State’s public health strategy against Mpox.

The first is a robust stakeholder engagement involving experts from various sectors to discuss Mpox and its management, both locally and globally.

Although Lagos has no active cases at present, however, the risk posed by the more aggressive Clade 1B variant remains a significant concern due to Lagos’s extensive travel connections.

The second milestone is the activation of an Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) specifically dedicated to monitoring and addressing the Mpox outbreak, with a particular focus on the Clade 1B variant.

The third milestone is the launch of a statewide public health awareness campaign aimed at educating residents about the risks associated with Mpox and preventive measures they can take.

The Commissioner emphasized the current concern over the Clade 1B variant, which is rapidly spreading across Central Africa, particularly in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and has now reached neighboring countries like Cameroon, Rwanda, and Burundi.

“This variant is distinct from the indigenous Clade 2 variant, which has been detected sporadically in West Africa. Although Lagos has no active cases at present, however, the risk posed by the more aggressive Clade 1B variant remains a significant concern due to Lagos’s extensive travel connections.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the outbreak in the DRC a Public Health Emergency of International Concern, highlighting the need for a coordinated global response”, he said.

Prof. Abayomi noted that Lagos State is taking proactive steps, drawing on its experience with past health crises like Ebola, COVID-19, cholera, and Lassa fever. According to him, these measures aim to prevent the introduction of the Clade 1B variant into Lagos, which could have severe health and economic implications.

The Commissioner explained that Mpox, like smallpox and cowpox, is a zoonotic disease that initially spreads from animals to humans, particularly through rodents and monkeys.

Human-to-human transmission occurs through close contact, with the Clade 1B variant showing a higher transmission rate, especially through sexual contact.

Prof. Abayomi warned that while there are currently no active Mpox cases in Lagos, the state must remain vigilant against the potential importation of this aggressive variant.

He disclosed that a mini-symposium on Mpox which was held before the media briefing, featured insights from global health experts, including representatives from WHO, UNICEF, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Nigeria Institute of Medical Research (NIMR), LUTH and LASUTH. “These experts discussed the risks posed by the Clade 1B variant to Lagos and the steps needed to create a biological shield against the virus.

The collective goal is to ensure that Lagos is fully prepared to manage any potential outbreak and minimize its impact”, Prof. Abayomi said.

While noting that Lagos State’s high population density and extensive travel links make it particularly vulnerable to the rapid spread of contagious diseases, the Commissioner urged the public and healthcare providers to be vigilant and prepared to recognize, diagnose, and manage Mpox cases effectively.

“The activation of the EOC and the launch of the public awareness campaign are critical components of this strategy.

As part of the proactive measures, a comprehensive public health awareness campaign has been rolled out across Lagos. This campaign seeks to inform the public about the symptoms of Mpox, such as fever, joint pain, body aches, and distinctive rashes.

Residents are urged to report any suspicious symptoms to the nearest health facility for prompt evaluation”, he stated.

Prof. Abayomi  noted that Lagos State is also exploring vaccine options and has established local research teams to guide government policy on Mpox. These efforts aim to bolster the state’s preparedness for a possible outbreak and ensure a swift and effective response.

The Commissioner noted that despite the absence of active Mpox cases in Lagos, the state government is committed to maintaining a high level of preparedness. Prof. Abayomi expressed gratitude to all partners and collaborators for their continued support in these efforts, stressing the importance of collective action in safeguarding Lagos from the potential dangers of Mpox.

Speaking in the same vein, the Director of Epidemiology, Biosecurity, and Global Health in the Lagos State Ministry of Health, Dr. Ismail Abdus-Salam provided detailed information on the symptoms of the Clade 1B variant.
He highlighted the severity of the rashes caused by this variant, particularly those that appear in the genital area, which are more painful and pronounced than typical Mpox rashes.

Dr. Abdus-Salam emphasized the critical need for early identification and containment of Mpox cases to prevent the spread of the Clade 1B variant within Lagos. “The state’s public health systems are on high alert, ready to act swiftly to protect residents from this virulent strain”, he said.

Lagos State’s comprehensive and proactive approach to public health sets a precedent for other regions to follow.

The state’s ongoing efforts to prevent the importation and spread of Mpox, particularly the Clade 1B variant, demonstrate its commitment to protecting the health and well-being of its residents in the face of emerging global health threats.

Nigeria and several other countries that have been recently hit by the Monkey Pox (MPOX) outbreak, stand to benefit from a $135m funding plan by the World Health Organization (WHO).

A statement by the organisation on Monday said the fund was necessary as it has launched a global Strategic Preparedness and Response Plan to stop outbreaks of human-to-human transmission of mpox through coordinated global, regional, and national efforts.

This follows the declaration of a public health emergency of international concern by the WHO Director-General on 14 August.

Although the current plan is subject to inputs by WHO’s member states, who were briefed on the plan on 23 August, the plan covers the six-month period of September 2024-February 2025.

During the period, a $135m funding need is envisioned for the response by WHO, member states, and partners, including the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) which Nigeria is a member, communities, and researchers, among others.

The plan, which builds on the temporary recommendations and standing recommendations issued by the WHO Director-General, Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus focuses on implementing comprehensive surveillance, prevention, readiness and response strategies; advancing research and equitable access to medical countermeasures like diagnostic tests and vaccines; minimising animal-to-human transmission; and empowering communities to actively participate in outbreak prevention and control.

Strategic vaccination efforts will focus on individuals at the highest risk, including close contacts of recent cases and healthcare workers, to interrupt transmission chains.At the global level, the emphasis will be on strategic leadership, timely evidence-based guidance, and access to medical countermeasures for the most at-risk groups in affected countries.

WHO said it is working with a broad range of international, regional, national and local partners and networks to enhance coordination across key areas of preparedness, readiness and response.

This includes engagement with the ACT-Accelerator Principals group; the Standing Committee on Health Emergency Prevention, Preparedness and Response; the R&D Blueprint for Epidemics; and the interim Medical Counter Measures Network (i-MCM Net).

“The mpox outbreaks in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and neighbouring countries can be controlled and can be stopped.

“Doing so requires a comprehensive and coordinated plan of action between international agencies and national and local partners, civil society, researchers and manufacturers, and our Member States.

This SPRP provides that plan, based on the principles of equity, global solidarity, community empowerment, human rights, and coordination across sectors,” said Dr Ghebreyesus.

Nigeria Intensifies Surveillance As Mpox Cases Hit 39The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) said a total of 39 confirmed cases and zero deaths from mpox have been recorded across 33 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

Director General of the NCDC, Jide Idris, made the revelation at a press briefing on the declaration of mpox as a public health emergency of international concern earlier in the month.

He said the NCDC is intensifying surveillance across Nigeria to swiftly detect and respond to new cases.

According to Idris, the NCDC all port health services across all five international airports, 10 seaports, and 51 land/foot crossing borders are on high alert.

He added that some states have also been put on high alert including Lagos, Enugu, Kano, Rivers, Cross-River, Akwa-Ibom, Adamawa, Taraba, and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

WHO recently declared the mpox surge in Africa a global public health emergency, worried by the rise in cases in DRC and the spread to nearby countries.

The WHO called a meeting of experts to study the outbreak and make a recommendation to Dr Ghebreyesus.

“Today, the emergency committee met and advised me that in its view, the situation constitutes a public health emergency of international concern. I have accepted that advice,” Tedros told a press conference.

“This is something that should concern us all. WHO is committed in the days and weeks ahead to coordinate the global response, working closely with each of the affected countries, and leveraging our on-the-ground presence, to prevent transmission, treat those infected, and save lives.

”The decision comes after the African Union’s health watchdog declared its public health emergency over the growing outbreak.

Mpox has swept through the Democratic Republic of Congo, where the virus formerly called monkeypox was first discovered in humans in 1970, and spread to other countries.

Tedros said the more than 14,000 cases and 524 deaths reported so far this year in DR Congo have already exceeded last year’s total.