By Jumai Nwachukwu/Amayindi Yakubu
As Nigeria continues to tackle ongoing Mpox and Diphtheria outbreaks, the Nigerian Red Cross Society (NRCS), in collaboration with the Federal and Delta State Ministries of Health, has intensified efforts to strengthen emergency preparedness through a capacity-building workshop for frontline healthcare workers.
Speaking at the the three-day training, supported by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) and facilitated by Incident Manager, Dr. Odianosen Ehiakhamen, brought together surveillance officers, clinicians, and state response teams from Delta, Anambra, and Edo States.
Dr. Ehiakhamen explained that the workshop focuses on enhancing knowledge and practical competencies in surveillance, case detection, reporting, and infection prevention and control (IPC).
“We’re engaging surveillance officers across key LGAs in Delta State and surveillance leads from Anambra and Edo States, not just to teach but to strengthen surveillance, case management, and IPC. We are also working closely with clinicians from tertiary facilities and the Delta State Ministry of Health who coordinate response activities,” he said.
Citing national surveillance data, he expressed concern over the rising trend of Mpox cases, particularly among children. “In just one week, we recorded 17 new confirmed cases. We are beginning to see infections in younger age groups, including neonates as young as 17 days old. This suggests changing viral dynamics and points to many missed community cases,” he warned.
Dr. Ehiakhamen further called for stronger coordination between health facilities and local government surveillance systems, stressing the need to close reporting gaps, improve contact tracing, and combat stigma that discourages isolation and follow-up care in communities.
Representing the Delta State Ministry of Health, Mrs. Nneka Imarhia confirmed that the state has recorded approximately 70 suspected Mpox cases across several LGAs, with confirmed cases concentrated in specific locations. She commended the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Asaba, for its vital role as an NCDC-accredited testing centre and for collaborating closely on case identification and response.
Also speaking at the event, the Assistant Coordinator, Health and Care, NRCS National Headquarters, Ms. Ikwo Imoke, said the training forms part of the Red Cross’s broader mandate to support government response efforts.
“Now that participants have a clearer understanding of case definitions for Diphtheria and Mpox, they can better detect, report, and manage suspected cases. This will significantly strengthen community-level surveillance and early investigation,” she noted.
She added that the Nigerian Red Cross, as an auxiliary to the government, has been instrumental in preparedness and response activities, supporting Diphtheria operations in 14 states between 2023 and 2024, and Mpox response in 23 states from November 2024 to November 2025.
Facilitators emphasised that continuous training of healthcare workers remains one of the most effective strategies for safeguarding communities and improving outbreak response outcomes.
Participants described the workshop as timely and impactful, saying it has equipped them with practical knowledge and clearer protocols for managing and reporting suspected cases within their local government areas.
