Lagos Deepens Disease Surveillance Capacity, Holds Staff Training

In a bold move to reinforce Lagos State’s frontline disease surveillance system, the Ministry of Health has concluded a four-day residential Surveillance Evaluation and capacity-building workshop for Disease Surveillance Notification Officers (DSNOs) and watch staff on Saturday. Held at the Orchid Hotel, Lekki, the workshop themed: “Building Resilience into Disease Surveillance Practices in Lagos State” drew 86 participants from across the state’s public health ecosystem.

 

Declaring the event closed, the Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Ministry of Health, Dr. Olusegun Ogboye, charged the DSNOs and surveillance personnel to treat their work as a life-saving mission. “If you don’t detect early, if you don’t report promptly, if you don’t investigate thoroughly, the disease could spread beyond our control,” he warned, stressing that their role is critical to safeguarding the lives of over 20 million Lagosians.

 

Dr. Ogboye commended the participants for their diligence throughout the training while emphasising the importance of diligence over and beyond tools and training. “You are not just working for your LGA or institution, you are contributing to the health security of the entire state and, by extension, the nation,” he stated.

 

He expressed concern over delays in reporting disease alerts, noting that some critical information had reached the Ministry through unofficial sources instead of the State Epidemiologist. “This must change. We must ensure our surveillance system is proactive, responsive, and accurate,” he said.

 

Highlighting the future of disease surveillance, Dr. Ogboye emphasised smarter data usage. “Our data must tell a story, and it must do so reliably. I am excited that many of you can now handle mapping, early warning systems, and even predictive analytics. But remember, we still need you here in Lagos,” he added jokingly.

 

Earlier, the Director of Epidemiology, Biosecurity and Global Health, Dr. Ismail Abdus-Salam, noted that the training was designed to strengthen early detection and reporting mechanisms for priority diseases. He described it as a vital tool to improve the timeliness and quality of surveillance data analysis and interpretation.

 

Dr. Abdus-Salam explained that the sessions focused on situational awareness, critical information requirements, risk communication, data tools like Excel and QGIS, and real-time alert systems. “We want DSNOs not just collecting data, but asking questions like: Why are certain areas silent? Are we underreporting?”, he said.

 

Commending the Permanent Secretary for his steadfast support, Dr. Abdus-Salam urged participants to demonstrate their appreciation through improved field performance. “Let us not return to old habits. Let’s apply what we’ve learned to detect abnormalities early and act fast,” he stated.

 

He reminded officers that Lagos remains under a cholera alert and that field surveillance must be active and consistent. “Engage your MOHs, engage your communities. Nothing should slip through the cracks,” he cautioned.

 

During the four days of intensive training, experts and certified Public Health Emergency Managers as well as PHEOC pillars representatives from Case Management, Risk Communication, Laboratory and Vaccination, facilitated parts of the training session, enhancing its depth and relevance.

 

In his presentation on the Collection, Storage, and Transportation Logistics of Specimen for the Diagnosis of Priority Diseases, the Director of Lagos Biobank, Dr. Bamidele Mutiu, explained the critical role of proper laboratory and specimen management in disease diagnosis.

 

Dr. Mutiu underscored the pivotal role of Disease Surveillance and Notification Officers (DSNOs) in the specimen management chain. He noted the functional linkage between DSNOs and the Lagos Biobank, stating that “DSNOs are the bridge between field surveillance and laboratory confirmation. Their coordination with the Laboratory Pillar is indispensable.”

 

He highlighted the step-by-step processes involved in specimen collection, labelling, storage, and transportation, particularly for priority diseases such as Mpox, Diphtheria, Viral Hemorrhagic fever (VHF), Cholera, and Yellow Fever. According to him, “Every specimen is a potential biohazard. The safety of the handler and the integrity of the specimen must be assured at all times.”

 

He emphasised the essential use of personal protective equipment (PPE) based on risk exposure, reinforcing infection prevention and control protocols including hand hygiene, disinfection, and the safe disposal of materials. Dr. Mutiu also called attention to the technical criteria that determine specimen quality including proper packaging, correct labelling, adequate quantity, appropriate temperature control, and suitable containers for each disease. “A mislabeled or poorly stored sample could lead to misdiagnosis or delayed response during outbreaks,” he warned.

 

Disease Control Programme Officer, Lagos State Primary Health Care Board, Dr. Modinat Akiolu, also led a compelling session on Adverse Events Following Immunization (AEFI), providing participants with a comprehensive understanding of the classifications, reporting protocols and follow-up actions necessary for effective immunization safety monitoring. She began by clarifying the types of AEFI and the importance of accurate documentation, stressing that “AEFI data must be detailed, timely, and reliable to ensure public trust and effective intervention.”

 

Addressing some recurrent challenges, Dr. Akiolu pointed out common reporting errors among DSNOs that hinder case tracking and data analysis. “Inconsistent data entry, incomplete forms, and failure to follow reporting timelines can distort our surveillance outcomes,” she noted.

 

The DCPO, therefore, called for enhanced collaboration between DSNOs and Local Immunization Officers (LIOs), as well as proactive engagement with local communities. She stated, “Our DSNOs must not only report but also educate and create awareness among health workers, informants, and caregivers about the importance of AEFI and how to report it correctly.”

 

Chairman of the Local Government DSNOs forum, Mr. Akindele Abdulsalam, who was one of the participants, described the workshop as a timely effort to elevate disease surveillance operations across the LGAs. “This is our first review meeting for the year, and we had practical sessions, tabletop scenarios, and peer learning that deepened our understanding. It wasn’t just theoretical; we saw how inter-pillar coordination improves real-time outbreak response,” he said.

 

Akindele, who is also the DSNO for the Alimosho Local Government area, added that the retreat afforded him and his colleagues the opportunity to network and share experiences. “This opportunity to bond and interact was as useful as the technical content. It reminded us that we’re all part of a system, and we must work as one,” he concluded.