Nigeria launches its project for regional disease surveillance systems enhancement (REDISSE) to shore up response to epidemics on Friday. The World Bank set up the REDISSE project to cover all West African countries in the wake gaps shown by the 2014 Ebola outbreak in the region. REDISSE, financed through a World Bank credit, "will focus on strengthening the disease preparedness and response architecture in these countries, including Nigeria," said Chikwe Ihekweazu, chief executive of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).
REDISSE is part of the One-Health Framework, and its activities will be jointly implemented by the federal ministries of health and agriculture.
NCDC is to host REDISSE coordinating unit.
REDISSE funding would enable Nigeria have increased access to "flexible and easily deployable resources," said Ihekweazu.
"This will support the development of a robust public health emergency preparedness and response system, a main priority for NCDC," he said.
"The World Bank credit facility also aims at minimising the economic consequences of disease outbreaks."
Source: MWN