Events
Date
July 14, 2022
Decentralising Health Security: Lessons From COVID-19
The Health Security Policy Dialogue focused on "Decentralizing Health Security: Lessons from COVID-19." The COVID-19 pandemic profoundly impacted global societies, affecting both health and socioeconomic aspects. It disrupted progress towards achieving universal health coverage (UHC) and strengthening health security, exposing the gaps in prevention and preparedness for infectious disease outbreaks. Nigeria faced similar challenges, with the lack of synergy in health systems strengthening and public health emergency preparedness hindering efforts to enhance health security.
The dialogue aimed to discuss lessons learned from the COVID-19 response and sustain the gains to strengthen Nigeria's sub-national health security. Key areas of focus included evaluating the performance of new and existing response structures during the pandemic and exploring the role of private sector investments and partnerships in strengthening health security at the sub-national level. Sustaining the gains made during the pandemic was a priority to strengthen the country's health security. The capacities developed and lessons learned were essential for future infectious disease outbreaks at national and sub-national levels. By engaging in these discussions, stakeholders aimed to rebuild health systems with a greater emphasis on primary healthcare and essential public health functions, ensuring resilience in the face of ongoing and emerging infectious diseases.
