The role of polio emergency operations centers: perspectives for future disease control initiatives in Nigeria

Abstract

The Nigeria Polio Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) was established in October 2012 to strengthen coordination, provide strategic direction based on real-time data analysis, and manage all operational aspects of the polio eradication program. The establishment of seven state-level polio EOCs followed. With success achieved in the interruption of wild poliovirus (WPV) transmission as certified in 2020, the future direction of the polio EOC is under consideration. This paper describes the role of the polio EOC in other emergencies and perspectives on future disease control initiatives. A description of the functionality and operations of the polio EOC and a review of documentation of non-polio activities supported by the EOC was done. Key informant insights of national and state-level stakeholders were collected through an electronic questionnaire to determine their perspectives on the polio EOC’s contributions and its future role in other public health interventions. The polio EOC structure is based on an incident management system with clear terms of reference and accountability and with full partner coordination. A decline in WPV1 cases was observed from 122 cases in 2012 to 0 in 2015; previously undetected transmission of WPV1 was confirmed in 2016 and all transmission was interrupted under the coordination of the EOCs at national and state levels. During 2014-2019, the polio EOC infrastructure and staff expertise were used to investigate and respond to outbreaks of Ebola, measles, yellow fever, and meningitis and to oversee maternal and neonatal tetanus elimination campaigns. The EOC structure at the national and state levels has contributed to the positive achievements in the polio eradication program in Nigeria and further in the coordination of other disease control and emergency response activities. The transition of the polio EOCs and their capacities to support other non-polio programs will contribute to harnessing the country’s capacity for effective coordination of public health initiatives and disease outbreaks.

Lusaka Call-to-Action 2022: A Call to Strengthen Public Health Emergency Operation Centers in Africa

“…The establishment of Nigeria’s national Polio Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) in October 2012 was predicated on the re-vamped global emergency status for polio in 2012. 11 In Uganda, the Ministry of Health established its national PHEOC in September 2013, one triggered by the country’s vulnerability to public health emergencies given its geographic location next to the Congo Basin epidemic hot spot, placement within multiple epidemic belts, high population growth rates, and refugee influx. 12 The functionality of a PHEOC relies on the comprehensive implementation of 4-pronged core components: (1) policy, plans, and procedures; (2) physical infrastructure and information, communication, and technology (ICT) infrastructure; (3) data and information systems; and (4) skilled human resources to meet the minimum requirements stipulated in the framework for PHEOCs.…”