Nigeria, others to benefit from WHO’s $135m fund

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has announced a $135 million funding plan to support countries affected by the Monkeypox (MPOX) outbreak, including Nigeria.

WHO, in a statement on Monday, said the funding is part of a global Strategic Preparedness and Response Plan aimed at stopping human-to-human transmission of the virus through coordinated global, regional, and national efforts.

The plan covers six months from September 2024 to February 2025. During this period, a $135 million funding need is envisioned for the response by WHO, member states, and partners, including the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), of which Nigeria is a member, communities, and researchers, among others.

The plan, which builds on the temporary recommendations and standing recommendations issued by the WHO Director-General, Dr. Tedros Ghebreyesus, focuses on implementing comprehensive surveillance, prevention, readiness, and response strategies; advancing research and equitable access to medical countermeasures like diagnostic tests and vaccines; minimising animal-to-human transmission; and empowering communities to actively participate in outbreak prevention and control.

Strategic vaccination efforts will focus on individuals at the highest risk, including close contacts of recent cases and healthcare workers, to interrupt transmission chains.

WHO said it is working with a broad range of international, regional, national, and local partners and networks to enhance coordination across key areas of preparedness, readiness, and response.

WHO’s funding plan comes after the organisation declared the MPOX surge in Africa a global public health emergency.

The declaration was made due to the rise in cases in the Democratic Republic of Congo and the spread to nearby countries.

The WHO’s Director-General, Tedros Ghebreyesus, noted the need for a comprehensive and coordinated plan of action to control and stop the outbreaks.

Ghebreyesus said the plan provides a roadmap for international agencies, national and local partners, civil society, researchers, and manufacturers to work together to combat the outbreak.

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), which has recorded 39 confirmed cases of MPOX across 33 states and the Federal Capital Territory, is expected to benefit from the funding.

The NCDC and all port health services across all five international airports, 10 seaports, and 51 land/foot crossing borders are on high alert.

The body has also put some states on high alert, including Lagos, Enugu, Kano, Rivers, Cross-River, Akwa-Ibom, Adamawa, Taraba, and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.