The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Ali Pate, has warned that pandemics now pose grave threats not only to public health but also to economic stability and national security worldwide.
Pate issued the warning on Monday in Abuja at a high-level public health symposium themed,
“Lessons on Pandemic Preparedness and Response: Insights from China and Nigeria.”
He cautioned that infectious disease outbreaks, if not swiftly contained, could escalate into epidemics and eventually global pandemics, stressing that the world must brace for future occurrences.
“It is not a matter of if, but when,” the minister said, noting that outbreaks often begin as minor incidents before spiralling into large-scale disruptions capable of altering the course of human civilisation.
The minister highlighted the growing risk of zoonotic diseases, linking them to the complex interaction between human, animal and environmental health systems.
Drawing lessons from past crises, including COVID-19, Pate said pandemics have far-reaching consequences beyond healthcare, citing the 5.5 per cent contraction in global GDP and an estimated $15tn loss during the COVID-19 outbreak.
“Economies shut down. Even during the Ebola outbreak in Nigeria in 2014, economic activities slowed significantly due to widespread fear,” he said.
He stressed that public health security is inseparable from economic and national security, calling for coordinated responses across sectors, including health, agriculture, environment and security agencies.
Pate also underscored the need for sustained investment in resilient healthcare systems, warning against reactive approaches.
“It is not when an outbreak occurs that we begin to invest; by then, it is already too late,” he said.
He noted that Nigeria had strengthened its response capacity through institutions like the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, as well as ongoing investments in research, surveillance and local pharmaceutical production.
The minister further emphasised the role of public trust and community engagement, warning that misinformation could undermine response efforts during health emergencies.
“People must trust science. Without that, conspiracy theories will weaken our response,” he added.
Highlighting workforce challenges, Pate revealed that about 79,000 frontline health workers had been retrained in the past two and a half years, describing them as critical to any effective pandemic response.
“Responding to pandemics without frontline workers is like going to war without an army,” he said.
Also speaking, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, emphasised early preparedness, linking disease outbreaks to factors such as poverty, urbanisation, food systems and environmental changes.
“When there is no pandemic is the best time to prepare,” Kyari said.
In his remarks, the Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Yu Dunhai, warned of increasing global health risks driven by disease mutations and cross-border transmission.
He called for stronger international collaboration, noting that developing countries continue to face challenges in accessing vaccines and essential health resources.
The symposium brought together policymakers, researchers and development partners to strengthen Nigeria’s pandemic preparedness in an increasingly interconnected world.
'
'Do you want to share a story with us? Do you want to advertise with us? Do you need publicity for a product, service, or event? Contact us on WhatsApp +2348183319097 Email: platformtimes@gmail.com
We are committed to impactful investigative journalism for human interest and social justice. Your donation will help us tell more stories. Kindly donate any amount HERE
