Nigeria, through the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, will host a high-level health security dialogue on pandemic preparedness and response in Abuja on Monday.
The event, titled “Lessons on Pandemic Preparedness and Response: Insights from China and Nigeria,” would convene senior government officials, policymakers, scientists, and representatives of global health institutions from Nigeria and the People’s Republic of China.
The dialogue aims to strengthen preparedness for future health threats in the aftermath of COVID-19 by sharing practical lessons and fostering international cooperation to build more resilient health systems.
A statement by the Ministry’s Assistant Director of Information & Public Relations, Ado Bako, highlighted the key focus areas to include Strengthening disease surveillance and early warning systems, improving emergency response coordination and overall health system resilience, enhancing community trust and risk communication among others.
“The engagement will also explore opportunities to deepen Nigeria–China cooperation in public health research and innovation, laboratory systems and pathogen surveillance, technology transfer and capacity development, and coordinated responses to cross-border health threats,” Bako said.
He added that the expected outcomes include actionable policy recommendations to bolster pandemic preparedness, enhanced bilateral collaboration between Nigeria and China, and strategic insights to inform both national and global health security priorities.
The dialogue would feature presentations by senior government officials, a keynote address from a leading global health expert, and panel discussions with Nigerian and international specialists, providing a platform for knowledge exchange and strategic planning.
