Goal:

    • To promote prompt response to Humanitarian crises and provide health care support during catastrophic events, disasters and emergencies while documenting events at the site(s) of the disaster with the aim of proffering solutions to minimize future occurrences.

    Objectives:

    • The main objective of the EPR group is ‘to conduct situation analysis on laboratory capacity for emergency preparedness and response

    Work Plan:

    • To conduct a study on the cold chain transportation system for samples, and supply chain for reagents and supplies.
    • To conduct 2years longitudinal studies on circulating strains of Cholera and Cerebrospinal Meningitis (CSM).
    • To build capacity of Emergency Preparedness Response members and stakeholders
    • To conduct a study on Immunization coverage for Measles and Yellow Fever
    • To create predictive models for emergency prone diseases
    • To conduct studies on data generation and information flow on emergency prone diseases

    EPRG Sub-committee:

    • Grant Writing Committee
    • Data and Information on Research
    • Emergency Response Intervention
    • The group was apt to respond to various flood disaster which occurred during the year

    Collaborators:

    • UNICEF, Lagos State Government and Federal Ministry of Health, NCDC, NAFDAC and Central Public Health Lab

    Project and Proposal:

    • A project proposal on ‘Assessment of socio-economic and health challenges faced by internally displaced persons as a result of flooding in Nigeria’ has been sent to NIMR-IRB for approval.

    Key Accomplishment:

    • Provision of emergency back-up to the state and national response to emergency on Cholera
    • In 2010 and 2011 Research back-up was provided by NIMR-Emergency Preparedness Team for cholera outbreaks in Benue, Borno, Gombe and Abia States as well as provision of IEC materials.
    • In response to the 2012 of flooding in some parts of the country, the group went on field trip to three (3) of the affected states (selective sampling) namely Benue, Edo and Kogi States, to look into likely medical issues as an outcome of the flood as well as delivery of relief materials and medical services rendered where necessary.
    • Provision of medical emergency services to internally displaced persons
    • Procurement of health commodities and supplies to support ongoing services by the state and Federal Government Agencies.
    • NIMR has currently been included as member of the Task Force on Mitigation of Flood Committee made up of more than 20 members.

    The group hopes to sustain these partnerships and source for more in year 2013.

     

    Group Members

    Prof. I. A. O. Ujah mni Director-General Dr. D. A Oladele Research Fellow II
    Dr.  S. I Smith Director of Research /(Group Head)
    Dr . M.A Mafe Director of Research Mrs. E. E Afocha Research Fellow ll
    Mrs. F. Ige Junior Research Fellow
    Dr. A. N David Chief Research Fellow Mr. O.S Amoo Junior Research Fellow
    Dr. D. Onwujekwe Chief Research Fellow Mr. B. Ajayi Chief. Med. Lab. Scientist
    Dr.  J. Iwuora Consultant Clinician Mrs. C. Okparaugo Chief. Med. Lab. Scientist
    Mr. A. Adeneye Research Fellow II Mr. M. Bamidele Asst. Chief Med. Lab. Tech.
    Mr. T. A Bamidele Research Fellow II Mr. S. Nduaga Med. Lab. Scientist
    Mrs. F. Ogbonna Snr. Med. Lab.  Scientist