OPENING CEREMONY | WEST AFRICA REGIONAL PHEM INTERMEDIATE COURSE COHORT 2
Yesterday in Lagos, Nigeria, the West Africa Regional Public Health Emergency Management (PHEM), Intermediate Course Cohort 2 officially commenced.
The opening ceremony brought together public health leaders, partners, and participants from across the region for two weeks of intensive learning, collaboration, and capacity building to strengthen public health emergency management and regional health security.
Representing the Director General of NCDC, Dr. Oyeladun Okunromade warmly welcomed participants and encouraged them to fully immerse themselves in the training, emphasizing the importance of building the capacity needed to strengthen regional health security.
On behalf of the US CDC Country Representative, Dr. Oladipupo Ipadeola encouraged participants to make every moment of the training worthwhile and memorable.
Representing UKHSA, Dr. Lois Olajide urged participants to share experiences, learn from one another, and collaboratively address the challenges facing public health emergency management.
Representing Dr. Iko Ibanga, Executive Director, Pro-Health International Africa, Mrs. Ibanga, Head of Finance, Pro-Health International, welcomed participants to Nigeria and expressed appreciation to the US CDC for funding the activity.
Adding a warm regional touch to the ceremony, she engaged participants from different countries by inviting them to share greetings in their respective languages, highlighting the diversity and spirit of collaboration that the training represents.
Delivering the keynote address on behalf of the US CDC, Dr. Muhammad Muhammad Saleh highlighted the evolution of PHEM training in Nigeria, from the Basic course launched in 2017 to the Intermediate course, which further strengthens emergency management capacity.
He noted that PHEM training is an important component of the Global Health Security Agenda (GHSA), established following the 2014 West Africa Ebola outbreak to strengthen health security and preparedness before outbreaks occur.
As Cohort 2 begins this two week journey, participants are encouraged to learn, share experiences, build connections, and strengthen regional collaboration.
Two weeks. One mission. Stronger PHEM capacity for a safer West Africa.