Ben Ezechime, Enugu
The Enugu State Government and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), have conducted a simulation exercise at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, in an effort to ward off outbreak of infectious diseases.
The State Commissioner for Health, Prof Ikechukwu Obi, said that the state government was ready and committed to preventing and combating any outbreak of infectious disease in order to ensure hitch-free yuletide celebrations in the state.
The simulation exercise, which held at the Nigeria Safety and Investigation Bureau (NSIB) premises, involved FAAN workers and other health related agencies operating at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport.
The commissioner said that the simulation exercise was aimed at demonstrating the state’s commitment to enhancing its preparedness for public health emergencies, particularly in high-risk areas like airports.
“Enugu State stands the risk of infectious diseases’ outbreak due to the international airport that serves as entry point for people coming into South-East states for the yuletide celebrations, hence the need to sensitise airport workers to step up to their responsibilities and ensure that every passenger coming into the state is well examined to keep the state safe,” he said.
Also the Regional Airport Manager, South-East, Mr Hillary Umunna, represented by the Head of Operations, FAAN, Mrs. Udenze Onyeka, maintained that airport workers would continue to work in synergy with Enugu State ministry of health to prevent outbreak of infectious diseases especially now that people are travelling to the region for Christmas and New Year’s celebrations.
The state epidemiologist, Dr. Okechukwu Ogbodi, said the exercise was necessary to prepare the minds of airport workers to step up to their responsibilities to ensure no infectious disease penetrated the state.
While giving them tips on how to carry out their functions, he told them that airport workers were in position to identify suspected cases, keep accurate data in situation of identified cases.
According to him, diseases such as M-pox and Covid spread easily and faster, and should be carefully monitored.
