Living science Foundation Health Conference: Experts Urge Calm Over Ebola, Demand A NAFDAC Reforms

Experts Advocate Disease Prevention, Improved Sanitation and Stronger Collaboration Among Health Professionals
The Living science Foundation has called for improved disease prevention, better sanitation practices and reforms at the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to strengthen Nigeria’s public health system.

The call was made at the foundation’s annual health conference held on Wednesday, where health and environmental experts discussed strategies for addressing emerging public health challenges, strengthening disease surveillance and promoting environmental sanitation.

Speaking at the conference, Ojo urged government authorities, healthcare professionals and the media to provide accurate and timely information about Ebola without creating unnecessary public panic.

“Ebola is a very serious issue. As much as we need to be serious with it, we must not create panic. What we need to do is to educate the public appropriately without causing unnecessary panic. I believe with an appropriate education about it, we should conquer it,” he said.

He stressed that effective public education and responsible communication were essential to ensuring that citizens understood the disease and adopted appropriate preventive measures.

Also speaking, the President of the Environmental Health Association of Nigeria (EHOAN), South-West Zone, Dr Isaac Temitope Akinwumi, called for stronger collaboration among health professionals, epidemiologists, media practitioners and advocacy groups to prevent and contain disease outbreaks.

Reflecting on Nigeria’s response to the 2014 Ebola outbreak, Akinwumi noted that cooperation among relevant stakeholders had played an important role in containing the disease.
“Ebola is a re-emerging disease; it has come before in 2014, and you could see how we worked together to drive it away,” he said.

He emphasised the need for a multidisciplinary approach to disease surveillance, public education and contact tracing, noting that coordinated efforts would help health authorities respond effectively to potential outbreaks.

According to him, the involvement of the media, advocacy organisations, epidemiologists and other relevant professionals remains crucial to strengthening public health preparedness and response.

Akinwumi also reiterated the importance of preventive healthcare, stressing that adherence to recommended public health measures and collective responsibility would help protect communities against infectious diseases.
Reaffirming the principle that prevention is better than cure, he urged stakeholders to intensify efforts towards public health education, environmental sanitation and early detection of diseases.

Meanwhile, Ojo disclosed that the LivingScience Foundation had sustained its annual health conference for ten editions without external funding, providing a platform for professionals from different sectors to exchange ideas and develop practical solutions to environmental and public health challenges.

The conference is expected to strengthen partnerships among stakeholders and encourage practical interventions in food safety, sanitation, disease prevention and environmental health.
Participants also emphasised the importance of sustained public awareness, effective disease surveillance and stronger institutional collaboration in building a healthier and safer society.

The event forms part of broader efforts to promote environmental health awareness, improve disease prevention strategies and encourage collective action towards addressing Nigeria’s public health challenges.