*********Adirieje Urges Stronger Community-Based Surveillance to Boost Health Security
*********Health Security: “Effective Surveillance Systems Remains Central to Safeguarding Public Health- AHOA Boss
By Victor Bieni, Abuja
The Chief Executive Officer, Afrihealth Optonet Association (AHOA), Dr. Uzodinma Adirieje, has called for strengthened community-driven disease surveillance systems to improve early detection and response to public health threats in Nigeria and across Africa.
Royal Paradise Media (News Online) learnt this from Nigerian Global Health & Development expert, Dr. Uzodinma Adirieje in a telephone conversation with our reporter today being on Tuesday, April 28, 2026 as Dr. Uzodinma Adirieje briefed our reporter on the outcome of the 11th edition of AHOA’s Life and Health Dialogue Series held on March 17, 2026.
Speaking further to our reporter, Dr. Uzodinma Adirieje stated: “The session was themed: ‘Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response and Community Early Warning.’ We must emphasize here that effective surveillance systems remain central to safeguarding public health. Empirically, epeated outbreaks from Ebola and COVID-19 to Mpox and cholera have exposed weaknesses in national and global preparedness mechanisms”.
“Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response provides a critical framework for systematically collecting, analysing, and using health data to prevent epidemics and reduce mortality. However, AHOA warned that surveillance systems cannot succeed if they are confined to national structures without strong grassroots participation. True early warning begins in the community through frontline health workers, community volunteers, civil society organisations, and local leaders who detect unusual patterns and trigger timely responses”.
“The dialogue brought together policymakers, health professionals, researchers, civil society organisations, media representatives, and development partners. Participants assessed the current state of IDSR implementation and explored strategies for strengthening early warning systems. The dialogue also highlighted persistent challenges affecting surveillance which included amongst others are: Weak reporting structures, delayed detection, inadequate community engagement, and poor coordination among stakeholders”.
“There is need for a whole-of-society approach involving government institutions, academia, civil society, and the media. Such collaboration would enhance reporting, risk communication, and rapid response mechanisms. This will also help in strengthening surveillance which is not only a technical priority, but also a governance and development imperative, as weak systems disproportionately affect vulnerable populations”.
“Participants examined the role of community-based early warning mechanisms, identifying them as critical to improving outbreak detection and response. The forum provided a platform for knowledge sharing, policy dialogue, and the development of practical recommendations. These recommendations aim to address gaps in funding, coordination, and data flow”.
“In conclusion, I hereby urge all stakeholders to translate dialogue into concrete actions that will build resilient health systems. No doubt, stronger surveillance systems are essential to achieving health security, universal health coverage, and sustainable development. The meeting is expected to generate actionable strategies to enhance IDSR implementation, expand civil society roles in surveillance, and improve accountability in public health”.
“Dr. Uzodinma Adirieje is a Nigerian global health and development expert, health economist, and civil society leader. He is the Chief Executive Officer and Programmes Director of the Afrihealth Optonet Association, a global civil society network and think-tank with over 3,000 member organisations in more than 120 countries. AHOA works at the intersection of health, climate action, and sustainable development”.
“Dr. Adirieje has extensive experience in policy analysis, monitoring and evaluation, and sustainable development practice. He has provided technical leadership for key national and international initiatives, including Nigeria’s National Monitoring and Evaluation Policy and independent evaluations of progress on the Sustainable Development Goals. His work covers health systems strengthening, climate justice advocacy, civil society mobilisation, and evidence-based policy engagement”.
“Dr. Uzodinma Adirieje is a respected voice in global development discourse, he convenes the Life and Health Dialogue Series, a platform for advancing policy dialogue on health, climate, and sustainable development across Africa and the Global South. He is a Certified Management Consultant and an advocate for equity-driven development. Dr. Adirieje promotes integrated approaches that link health, environment, and governance to achieve inclusive and sustainable outcomes”.