Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Professor Akin Abayomi, led a strategic assessment of the Infectious Disease Hospital, also known as Mainland Hospital, in Yaba, Lagos, as the Lagos State Government strengthens Ebola preparedness against the possibility of imported cases from the expanding outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The assessment focused on whether the specialist facility has the infrastructure, equipment and clinical systems needed to respond quickly if Ebola Virus Disease reaches Lagos.
Also read: Ogun issues fresh flood warning, urges safe relocation
Abayomi conducted the inspection alongside the hospital’s Medical Director, Dr Adejumo, and other senior members of staff.
The inspection covered the Emergency Operations Centre, laboratory equipment, oxygen supply infrastructure, triage facilities, isolation areas and external construction works.
Abayomi said the assessment was designed to ensure that critical systems would function effectively during a high-consequence disease outbreak.
“We thoroughly inspected the Emergency Operations Centre, laboratory equipment, oxygen supply infrastructure, triage and isolation areas, and external site works to ensure seamless functionality during a high-consequence outbreak.”
The commissioner said the exercise also identified immediate maintenance requirements across several areas, including the Emergency Operations Centre, biobank, pharmacy, catering facilities and drainage networks.
The findings are significant because Ebola response depends heavily on early identification, safe isolation, laboratory confirmation, infection prevention and adequate clinical support.
Weaknesses in any of those areas can increase the risk of transmission inside healthcare facilities.
The Lagos assessment comes against the backdrop of an increasingly serious outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
According to the World Health Organisation’s latest detailed update, the DRC had recorded 5,794 confirmed cases and 2,786 deaths by August 26, with cases reported across 60 health zones in six provinces.
Ituri remained the epicentre, accounting for 4,802 confirmed cases.
The outbreak is being driven by the Bundibugyo virus, a relatively rare Ebola species.
WHO says there is currently no licensed vaccine or specific treatment for this strain, although research and clinical trials are under way.
The situation has deteriorated rapidly since the outbreak was first detected in the DRC in May.
WHO’s August 1 update recorded 3,605 confirmed cases and 1,587 deaths, meaning the reported numbers have risen sharply within weeks.
WHO has also maintained that the outbreak remains a Public Health Emergency of International Concern, following an Emergency Committee meeting on August 18.
The organisation has warned that continued transmission, difficulties identifying cases and limited healthcare capacity are complicating containment efforts.
The international dimension has heightened the importance of preparedness in countries beyond the immediate outbreak zone.
WHO’s risk assessment has classified the risk as very high within the DRC and high for neighbouring countries, while describing the regional and global risk as lower where surveillance and preparedness systems are functioning effectively.
Nigeria has previous experience responding to Ebola.
The country successfully contained the 2014 Ebola outbreak after the virus was introduced into Lagos by Liberian-American Patrick Sawyer.
The response became widely recognised for its rapid contact tracing, isolation and public health coordination.
Mainland Hospital, Yaba, has remained an important part of Lagos’ infectious disease response architecture.
The renewed inspection therefore represents a preventive step rather than an announcement that Ebola has been detected in Lagos.
That distinction is important. The Lagos government has not announced a confirmed Ebola case arising from the current DRC outbreak.
Instead, officials are reviewing the city’s capacity before an emergency occurs.
Abayomi said the Ministry of Health was preparing for “any eventualities” and described the broader exercise as part of efforts to strengthen Lagos’ health security architecture.
“The Ministry remains committed to fortifying Lagos State’s health security architecture and maintaining maximum operational readiness to safeguard public health.”
The latest developments in the DRC demonstrate why such preparation matters.
By August 26, WHO had documented continued transmission in established hotspots as well as expansion into previously unaffected health zones.
The response in the DRC has also been complicated by insecurity, population movement and difficulties reaching vulnerable communities.
WHO has stressed that surveillance, contact tracing, clinical preparedness and community engagement will be crucial to bringing the outbreak under control.
For Lagos, the immediate priority is therefore not simply having an isolation ward available.
It is ensuring that the wider chain of response, from detection and diagnosis to oxygen supply, infection control and patient care, can operate without dangerous delays.
Also read: Ogun issues fresh flood warning, urges safe relocation
The inspection at Mainland Hospital suggests that Lagos authorities are taking that preventive approach seriously, using the escalating crisis in Central Africa as a warning to strengthen local readiness before an emergency arrives.
Olawale Olaleye is a journalist, editor, and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering public affairs, governance, and national issues.
