16/04/2026
Akwa Ibom Strengthens Emergency Preparedness as JEE Enters Critical Field Assessment Phase
Akwa Ibom State has recorded a significant milestone in its ongoing Joint External Evaluation (JEE) as national and international assessors undertook a comprehensive field visit to the State Public Health Emergency Operations Centre (PHEOC) in Uyo, marking Day Four of the exercise.
The visit, led by officials from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), alongside partners including FHI 360, Resolve to Save Lives, and the UK Health Security Agency, focused on assessing the State’s operational readiness in emergency preparedness, response coordination, disease surveillance, and documentation systems.
The evaluation team, led by Dr Evaristus, was received at the facility by the State Epidemiologist, Dr Nchiek Edet Eneh, and the State Coordinator of the Akwa Ibom State Emergency Medical Services and Ambulance System (AKISEMSAS), Dr Etiemana Jacob.
In her welcome address, Dr. Eneh expressed appreciation to the visiting team and provided a detailed overview of the structure and operations of the Akwa Ibom State Public Health Emergency Operations Centre (AKS-PHEOC). She highlighted the Centre’s pivotal role as the coordination hub for public health intelligence and emergency response in the State.
Beyond the core functions of disease surveillance, supportive supervision, active case search, incident management, outbreak investigation and response, and public health advisories, she further outlined additional critical responsibilities of the PHEOC. These include event-based surveillance and rumor management, risk assessment and rapid response activation, coordination of simulation exercises and preparedness drills, capacity building and workforce development, logistics and resource mobilization, data management and real-time reporting, partner coordination, and after-action reviews to strengthen future responses.
She emphasized that these integrated functions position the PHEOC as a central platform for evidence-based decision-making and timely intervention, aligned with global best practices under the International Health Regulations framework. Dr. Eneh also acknowledged the strategic leadership of the Honourable Commissioner for Health, Dr Ekem Emmanuel John, whose reforms and investments have significantly strengthened the State’s health security architecture.
Speaking further, Dr. Etiemana Jacob provided insights into the operations of the Akwa Ibom State Emergency Medical Services and Ambulance System (AKISEMSAS). He explained that emergency medical response in the State is structured to ensure timely and efficient service delivery, with ambulances strategically stationed across key locations to enhance rapid response.
He demonstrated the system’s call handling, dispatch mechanisms, and real-time ambulance tracking capabilities, which enable prompt coordination and deployment during emergencies. Importantly, he noted that the operations of the Emergency Operations Centre and the emergency medical services framework are aligned with the One Health approach, ensuring coordinated action across human, animal, and environmental health sectors in managing public health threats.
Dr. Jacob attributed these advancements to sustained government support, particularly the approval of infrastructure upgrades at the Emergency Operations Centre and broader investments in emergency medical services by the State Government under the leadership of Governor Umo Eno.
During the visit, the evaluation team conducted a thorough inspection of the facility, reviewing key documents including standard operating procedures (SOPs), operational guidelines, meeting records, incident logs, and response reports. These provided verifiable evidence of structured coordination, accountability, and adherence to established emergency response protocols.
The assessment also examined the Centre’s capacity for multisectoral collaboration, a critical component of effective health security, ensuring synergy among relevant sectors in preventing, detecting, and responding to public health threats.
At the conclusion of the visit, members of the evaluation team expressed satisfaction with the level of preparedness and infrastructure observed. The State was rated highly in critical domains, particularly in emergency coordination, documentation systems, and health infrastructure, reflecting sustained investments and institutional strengthening.
The Day Four field assessment represents a crucial phase of the Joint External Evaluation, transitioning from technical reviews to on-site validation of systems and operational capacity. It underscores the importance of functional Emergency Operations Centres as pillars of epidemic preparedness and response.
As the JEE progresses toward its final stages, findings from the field assessments are expected to inform the development of a costed State Action Plan for Health Security (SAPHS), which will guide strategic investments and targeted interventions to address identified gaps.
Akwa Ibom State’s performance at this stage signals a strong trajectory toward building a resilient, responsive, and well-coordinated health system capable of safeguarding its population against current and emerging public health threats.
