Health
3 Ways to Cushion against the Effects of Future Pandemics
The COVID-19 pandemic, which characterized the year 2020, was a shock not just for Nigeria but for the entire world as we were unprepared for such an occurrence. The impact of this era was felt by the economy and people across the country through the lockdown measures, which lasted several months, affecting small businesses and business owners.
In addition, the strain it put on the health sector and its professionals, with an avalanche of cases pulled into ill-equipped health facilities and the constant rise in the death toll, left an indelible mark.
While the world faced its unpreparedness unfold, the effects of the pandemic were harder in developing countries across the world, with India and Brazil taking the lead according to statistics aggregated by WolrdOmeters. Nigeria, on the other hand, could be said to have admirably shouldered the health impact of COVID-19 as it defied all predicted cases despite its failing health sector and already dilapidated economy.
Through the pandemic era, a lot of lessons were pulled out to set the tone for the economic recovery and to strengthen institutions across health, and commerce, among others. To cushion the effect of a possible pandemic, government institutions and corporate organisations within the private sector have their roles and responsibilities, which they must begin to put in place in preparation for the unforeseen reoccurrence of COVID-19 or a possible future pandemic.
A few ways to ensure that the effect can be cushioned would include:
- Economic Policies: According to International Monetary Fund (IMF), an estimated 4.4% of the global economy shrunk in 2020. Governments must be more deliberate with the creation of policies and laws that would directly and positively influence the economies of the world. Policies should be intentionally implemented rather than simply formulated and should cater for the most basic of economic needs. If the right structures are put in place, it will safeguard the economy and cushion the effect of a possible pandemic on smaller businesses and business owners.
- Improvement of Health Institutions: The advent of the pandemic showcased that health institutions were unprepared for large-scale treatment, and employing the best of methods and procedures within the healthcare system is still farfetched. A strong and resilient health sector, particularly at the primary healthcare level, is needed to facilitate the detection of disease outbreaks, provide essential care, and strengthen the deployment of vaccines and other medical countermeasures wherever and whenever they are needed. Although pandemic preparedness needs global efforts, according to the World Bank, it sure begins at the country level.
- Revenue Generation and Diversification: Tax policy reforms at different levels of government should be geared to increase tax revenues within its policy framework. The reforms should be aimed at improving compliance, discouraging evasion, and widening the country’s tax base. This will provide the required capital to diversify into other sectors of the economy. Sectors such as agriculture, infrastructure and security should be actively improved on to ensure readiness for dark times.
The occurrence of another Pandemic is unknown but eminent. This can be witnessed in the resurfacing of health sector scares and epidemics like Ebola in Uganda, Monkeypox and the like. There is an evidently high possibility that the COVID-19 pandemic is not over and there are more pandemics that may re-emerge. Therefore, there is a need to act on the lessons learnt from the COVID-19 pandemic to ensure proper policies are formulated to strengthen health institutions and the economic sector to be better prepared.
By this, the effect of a possible pandemic can be cushioned, and its effect on the economy and economic recovery will not only be reduced but will be equitable across economic sectors and social strata.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The chairman of Rite Foods Limited, Mr Sulaiman Adebola Adegunwa, has been commended for donating an ultra-modern Trauma Centre to the Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital (OOUTH) in Sagamu, Ogun State.
The facility, donated to mark his 80th birthday, is a one-stop trauma centre with all the medical equipment and healthcare personnel to handle about 2,000 trauma cases in a month, from the severe to the minor ones.
Speaking at the commissioning of the 50-bedded facility, named Sulaiman Adebola Adegunwa Trauma Centre, by the Vice President of Nigeria, Mr Kashim Shettima, on Saturday, April 5, 2025, it was stated that the centre would enhance healthcare delivery for accident victims and other trauma-related cases within Ogun and neighbouring states.
Mr Shettima noted that the provision of the healthcare facility was timely, as it aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s agenda for upgrading the health institutions in the country.
He described the life of the donor as well lived, with significant impact in the society and immediate community, creating employment for the indigenes of Ogun State, through valuable business enterprises, like Rite Foods Limited and Ess-ay Holdings Limited, which has contributed to the growth of the state’s and national economy.
According to the VP, Mr Adegunwa has inscribed his name in gold, adding that the octogenarian believes in leaving legacies that lives for generation and this has prompted the trauma centre which will impact lives tremendously.
On his part, Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State applauded the philanthropic initiative of Mr Adegunwa, saying he has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to the healthcare system of Ogun State, and that the trauma centre marks a significant milestone towards attaining that.
In her remark, the Chief Medical Director of OOUTH, Dr Oluwabunmi Fatungase, said the 50 bedded centre has been the desire of the management of the hospital, as the old 20 bedded accident and emergency centre is too small to accommodate accident victims within the state, which serves as a route for travellers traversing the different regions of the country, with a 41.5 percent accident rate.
She said it is a dream of over 20 years by various administrations come true as there is no General Hospital from Lagos to Benin and Ibadan to take care of accident victims, thereby making the trauma centre a well thought out project by Asiwaju Adegunwa.
On his part, Mr Adegunwa said, “Today, l am filled with immense joy as l reflect on Sulaiman Adebola Adegunwa Trauma Centre as another fulfilment of opportunity to serve a higher calling to give and serve.”
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
A partnership to advance high-quality patient-centred healthcare in Nigeria has been entered into between Iwosan Investments Limited and Mayo Clinic Global Consulting.
The aim is to advise and support Iwosan in delivering world-class healthcare services that will positively impact both local and regional communities.
This includes the enhancement of Iwosan’s hospital network starting with Iwosan Lagoon Hospitals and the development and integration of the Lagos Medipark Hospital.
Mayo Clinic Global Consulting will to provide strategic advice on organizational objectives and clinical practice.
Under the consulting contract, Iwosan will work with Mayo Clinic experts on several projects to advance high-quality, patient-centred healthcare in Nigeria.
Mayo Clinic is a global leader in serious and complex healthcare. Mayo Clinic Global Consulting is designed to share Mayo Clinic’s unique, comprehensive capabilities and knowledge.
The focus of this engagement is to help the Iwosan network improve administrative efficiencies and effectiveness and to enhance medical practice and patient care through the application of Mayo Clinic’s integrated clinical care and practice models.
“This marks a significant milestone in our commitment to delivering exceptional healthcare services to the people of Nigeria.
“With guidance from Mayo Clinic Global Consulting, we are confident in our ability to set new benchmarks in healthcare excellence in our region,” the chief executive of Iwosan Investments, Mrs Fola Laoye, stated.
Iwosan Investments is a healthcare investment company with an ongoing commitment to revolutionize healthcare delivery in Nigeria.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) is increasing efforts to block the entry of substandard and counterfeit products into Nigeria, particularly from China and India, the country’s two largest pharmaceutical trade partners.
This was revealed by Mrs Mojisola Adeyeye, the Director-General of the agency, emphasised that the Clean Report of Inspection and Analysis (CRIA) scheme has significantly strengthened regulatory control over imports from these nations.
The two nation’s account for 60 per cent of Nigeria’s pharmaceutical imports and yet, there is a lot of counterfeit and substandard medicines from these countries.
She said, “Because most of these drugs come from China and India, the CRIA scheme is operational in those two countries,” adding that, “It ensures that only safe and high-quality products are shipped while preventing the export of substandard and counterfeit products.”
She note that NAFDAC has appointed and accredited CRIA agents in China and India to conduct rigorous pre-shipment inspections to tackle the issue.
In addition to appointing CRIA agents in China and India, NAFDAC is collaborating with COTECNA, a global testing, inspection, and certification service provider, to enhance quality control measures.
Mrs Adeyeye urged stakeholders to engage with these CRIA agents before shipping any consignment to Nigeria, saying, “I strongly encourage you to engage with CRIA agents before shipping any consignment–that is, to our stakeholders– from China, India, or Nigeria. You have the flexibility to choose from any of the listed CRIA agents to ensure compliance and safeguard the quality of imported products.”
NAFDAC also introduced an electronic platform, the Port Inspection Data Capture and Risk Management System (PIDCARMS), to enhance document verification and streamline inspection processes.
Mrs Adeyeye noted that CRIA agents will ensure that rejected shipments carrying drugs will not find their way to the country.
She urged stakeholders to visit NAFDAC’s official website for guidelines on product registration, labelling, and shipment requirements to ensure compliance with regulatory standards in order to prevent such lapses and ensure only approved products enter Nigeria.
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