Delta State has reinforced its public health emergency preparedness following the ongoing “Exercise Keep Pushing,” a national simulation initiative led by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) in collaboration with the UK Health Security Agency.
The exercise, currently being conducted in Delta alongside nine other states, focuses primarily on chemical emergency response and aims to assess and strengthen both national and sub-national Public Health Emergency Operations Centres (PHEOCs).
Speaking on the sidelines of the exercise, the State Epidemiologist, Dr. Mildred Okowa, described the initiative as a critical evaluation and capacity-building platform for emergency response systems.
“Exercise Keep Pushing is an initiative by the NCDC, in collaboration with the UK Health Security Agency. The aim is to assess and strengthen the national Public Health Emergency Operation Centre and the sub-national PHEOCs,” she said. “This is the seventh edition. It uses functional simulations of emergency events that can occur in various settings. This particular exercise is focused mainly on chemical emergencies.”
Dr. Okowa explained that previous editions simulated outbreaks of infectious diseases, noting that the current chemical emergency focus broadens the state’s preparedness scope.
“We are happy that this is happening because it helps us assess our readiness and strengthens our capacity to respond to diseases or any public health event that arises,” she added.
Although technically in its third day, Dr. Okowa clarified that the exercise began with a virtual briefing session on Monday. Tuesday marked the first physical simulation at the Public Health Emergency Operation Centre, while the ongoing activities represent the second day of on-site simulation drills.
The multi-sectoral nature of the exercise was evident, with subject matter experts drawn from the NCDC, Ministry of Environment, Ministry of Agriculture, Disaster Response Framework (DRF), Ministry of Information, Risk Communication units, security agencies, and other critical stakeholders.
“This collaboration ensures robust discussions and better preparation,” Dr. Okowa emphasized, highlighting the importance of coordinated response mechanisms during emergencies.
Also speaking, the State Health Promotion Officer at the Ministry of Health, Mr. Emmanuel Odejerho, said the programme aligns with the state government’s M.O.R.E Agenda by guaranteeing swift response to potential outbreaks.
“This programme is held in preparation for the outbreak of any disease. It assures Deltans that this administration is ready to mitigate any outbreak immediately it occurs,” he said.
Addressing grassroots communication in Pidgin English to ensure broader understanding, Odejerho urged community leaders and local government officials to act swiftly in the event of unusual health occurrences.
“Anytime wahala like sickness outbreak show for village, make dem quickly inform the community head or local government officials so response go fast and stop am from spreading,” he said.
On her part, Dr. Natalie Afebuamhe, Head of the Social Mobilisation Unit at the Primary Health Care Development Agency, appealed to residents to remain calm during emergencies and rely only on verified government information.
“Delta State is well equipped under the coordination of the State Epidemiologist,” she said. “In case of any emergency, residents should immediately call the hotlines: 07041008130.”
Dr. Afebuamhe stressed the importance of accurate information dissemination, warning against panic and misinformation during crisis situations.
The Director of Sanitation and Waste Management at the Ministry of Environment, Mrs. Francisca Atigan, commended the initiative, noting that the exercise has enhanced knowledge sharing and strengthened inter-agency cooperation.
“This programme has provided valuable input and knowledge exchange among stakeholders. It is a welcome development and will better prepare participants in the event of any outbreak or epidemic,” she said.
As the exercise concludes tomorrow, observers and participating experts have applauded the Delta State Government and its partners for adopting a proactive, forward-looking approach to disease control and emergency response, particularly in rural communities where rapid intervention is often most critical.
The simulation affirms Delta State’s commitment to building a resilient public health system capable of responding swiftly and effectively to emerging threats in an increasingly complex global health landscape.