… Alleges complacency

… Says surveillance not vaccines should be priority

By Chioma Obinna

Renowned virologist, Dr. Oyewale Tomori has blasted Nigeria’s lack of preparedness for a potential monkeypox outbreak, emphasising the need for Africa to take the lead in combating the disease.

A key figure in the fight against infectious diseases, Tomori highlighted the significance of the African Centre for Disease Control (Africa CDC) declaring monkeypox a continental emergency before the World Health Organisation, WHO,  declared a global emergency, noted that the action signalled a crucial shift in the Africa’s approach to responding to health crises.

Commending Africa for taking the proactive stance on mpox, he emphasised, “We  cannot continue to wait for the global community to declare a health crisis before we act. Africa has the capacity and the expertise to handle its health challenges.”

Tomori expressed deep concern over Nigeria’s apparent complacency in the face of the growing threat, citing the country’s history of inadequate response to epidemics like Lassa fever and COVID-19.

“We are not prepared for a major outbreak,” he declared. “The government’s track record in handling previous epidemics, like COVID-19 and Lassa fever, is a cause for serious concern.”

The virologist emphasised the importance of early detection, isolation, and treatment as essential steps in curbing the spread of monkeypox.

He criticised the global focus on vaccines, arguing that strengthening surveillance and laboratory capacity within Africa is far more critical.

The virologist called for increased investment in disease surveillance, laboratory capacity, and community health programs. He emphasised the need for a decentralised approach to disease control, empowering state and local governments to play a more active role.

“Everybody is complaining about vaccines. Oh, there’s no vaccine. The world does not care about us. But what about the one we need to do ourselves? That’s where our leaders must be told the truth. We need to empower our people to detect cases, confirm them in the laboratory, isolate the cases in the hospitals, and treat them, these are the first important things because if you do all that, you don’t get an epidemic occurring.

 “If you detect the case on time, you treat it, and prevent spread by all the other things you need to do, the infection prevention control, IPC, and all that, then you limit the spread of the virus. And if you limit the spread, of course, then you don’t get an emergency.”

 He further stated that Africa should focus on areas they have strength. “Because 50 years of Ebola, over 100 years of yellow fever, recent cases of COVID-19 has given us enough talent and capability to do our surveillance ourselves.”

 He lamented that the major problem in Nigeria is the fact that governments will not put money into those simple things that will make the country do what they need to do.

“We are looking at the world to solve problems in our way. The only things we should do ourselves, we are not doing.”

He criticised the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) for its delayed response and lack of transparency in reporting cases.

Tomori stressed the importance of timely data dissemination and community engagement in preventing the spread of the disease.

“We need to move beyond simply filling forms. People need to understand the importance of providing accurate information,” he said.

“The government must also ensure that this data is analyzed and used effectively to protect the public.”

Tomori also raised alarm about the potential dangers of the new monkeypox strain circulating in the region.

He warned that Nigeria’s porous borders and weak surveillance system make it vulnerable to an outbreak.

Tomori further urged Nigerians to be vigilant and to cooperate with public health measures.

He stressed the importance of seeking medical attention promptly if they experience symptoms of monkeypox.