Task Force On Mpox Recommended By Academy For Urgent Action

Task Force On Mpox Recommended By Academy For Urgent Action....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The Rapid Response Committee of the Academy of Medicine Specialties in Nigeria has voiced serious concerns over the ongoing Mpox outbreak affecting several African nations, including Nigeria. In a statement released on Thursday, signed by Committee Chairman Prof. Obinna Onwujekwe and member Prof. Richard Adegbola, the academy urged the Federal Government to form a national advisory task force on Mpox……CONTINUE READING 

The statement highlights the outbreak as a major public health challenge requiring immediate and coordinated action at both national and regional levels. On August 13th and 14th, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organisation declared Mpox a public health emergency of continental security and an international concern, respectively.

As of August 25, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention reported 48 confirmed Mpox cases out of 868 suspected cases across 35 local government areas in 19 states and the Federal Capital Territory. The academy has called for prompt, coordinated actions by governments, public health authorities, and international partners to curb the outbreak and mitigate its impact. It specifically recommended the establishment of a national advisory task force on Mpox led by the presidency to ensure high-level coordination.

Additionally, the academy called for enhanced surveillance systems to quickly identify and respond to new cases, and for integrating Mpox monitoring into existing health surveillance frameworks to control the virus’s spread. It emphasized the need for improved public awareness about Mpox symptoms, transmission, and preventive measures, suggesting the use of billboards and radio jingles for widespread health education.

The academy also recommended involving communities in response efforts, urging federal, state, and local governments to engage and empower them to take preventive actions. It suggested mobilizing the private sector and civil society organizations to play significant roles in the response and called for resource mobilization to support healthcare systems with personal protective equipment, diagnostic tools, and treatment options.

Furthermore, it stressed the importance of robust research to understand Mpox’s epidemiology in Africa, including identifying potential animal reservoirs and assessing the effectiveness of current interventions. The academy advocated for expanding current Mpox studies in Nigeria to include implementation research and investing in ongoing research to address knowledge gaps.

The academy concluded by urging the Federal Government, through the NCDC and the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, to prioritize the distribution of Mpox vaccines to the most affected and at-risk populations. The Rapid Response Committee expressed its readiness to support efforts in managing and containing the outbreak and called on all stakeholders to collaborate in protecting public health.