Strengthening Ebola Preparedness at Murtala Muhammed Airport
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), in collaboration with the Lagos State Government Health Authority and Port Health Services, has bolstered measures to mitigate the risk of importing and spreading the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) through Murtala Muhammed Airport (MMA) in Lagos. This initiative follows a comprehensive inspection of the airport’s preparedness facilities.
The inspection aimed to evaluate MMA’s capabilities to effectively detect, monitor, and respond to potential Ebola threats, particularly in light of recent Ebola outbreaks in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
Key figures from the medical and aviation sectors participated in the exercise. Notable attendees included Mr. Akinola Abayomi, the Lagos State Commissioner for Health; Olatokunbo Arewa, the MMIA Airport Manager; and Ibrahim Bilikis, the Director of Aviation Medicine at FAAN, alongside other important health officials and epidemiologists.
During the inspection, Commissioner Abayomi praised the swift and effective responses by FAAN and other stakeholders regarding the Ebola situation in the DRC. He emphasized the importance of heightened vigilance and more stringent monitoring protocols for passengers arriving from high-risk regions. By maintaining thorough procedures for identifying, isolating, and closely monitoring travelers from such areas, compliance with established public health protocols can be achieved.
He reiterated that the collaboration of all relevant agencies is essential in preventing the transmission of infectious diseases via Nigeria’s busiest airport. The integrity of public health must always come first, he added.
In response, Airport Administrator Arewa reassured the inspection team of FAAN’s commitment to maintaining necessary health precautions and following established regulations. He advocated for enhanced collaboration among stakeholders and highlighted the critical need for immediate action if any traveler exhibits symptoms of Ebola.
Abdullahi Lawal, Head of Port Health Services at MMA, presented an update on the airport’s emergency preparedness and response plan, indicating a thorough review and risk assessment had taken place. He noted that airlines operating from high-risk locations have been identified, with passenger testing procedures already in place and specific responsibilities assigned to various parties under the emergency response framework.
Related article: Ebola: NCDC warns health workers that import risk is ‘high’ despite no confirmed cases
Ibrahim Bilikis highlighted ongoing information sharing and coordinated response efforts between FAAN and the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), ensuring alignment with international health regulations and best practices. He also confirmed that airport personnel are well-informed of their roles and have undergone training to identify and respond to potential public health threats effectively.
As part of this comprehensive initiative, members of the Lagos State Government inspected critical facilities at the airport to verify compliance with established Ebola surveillance, testing, and prevention protocols. This inspection reflected a unified commitment by health and aviation authorities to remain prepared for public health emergencies and ensure that MMA is equipped to handle any such challenges.
