By Emmanuella Oghenetega
To enhance public health security and environmental protection, the Federal Government has officially launched the National Guidelines for Chemical Event Surveillance in Nigeria.
The launch, which took place on Monday in Abuja, was organised by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, bringing Nigeria a step closer to meeting global standards in chemical safety and surveillance.
Speaking on behalf of the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Daju Kachollom, described the launch as a “bold step forward” in safeguarding the health of Nigerians amidst rising risks of chemical-related hazards.
“This pivotal document represents the culmination of dedication, collaboration, and our collective resolve to respond effectively to chemical threats, whether accidental, intentional, or naturally occurring,” Kachollom said.
She emphasized that Nigeria had scored poorly in the 2023 Joint External Evaluation (JEE), attaining a “limited capacity” rating in detecting and managing chemical events, prompting the need for a structured surveillance response.
The guidelines aim to provide a comprehensive framework for the detection, reporting, response, and mitigation of chemical incidents.
They align with the One Health approach and complement existing systems such as the Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response (IDSR), the National Environmental Health Surveillance System, and the Surveillance Outbreak Response Management and Analysis System (SORMAS).
Kachollom commended all stakeholders involved in developing the guidelines, noting that it will empower public health workers, environmental agencies, first responders, and communities with actionable protocols to mitigate chemical risks.
“This document should not gather dust. “Let it be the compass that guides us to a safer, smarter, and healthier Nigeria,” Daju Kachollom said in closing.
Delivering goodwill messages, key ministries and stakeholders underscored the urgency of chemical surveillance across multiple sectors.
The Federal Ministry of Environment, represented by Mrs. Omotunde Adeola, Director of Pollution Control and Environmental Health, lauded the joint collaboration with the Ministry of Health, highlighting the increasing risks posed by chemical pollution, from industrial discharges to improper waste disposal, and its impact on air, water, soil, and human health.
