In a major step toward strengthening health security and early disease detection, the Cross River State Public Health Emergency Operations Centre (PHEOC), in partnership with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), has successfully trained 125 Surveillance Focal Persons across the state on the Surveillance Outbreak Response Management and Analysis System (SORMAS).
The week-long capacity-building workshop, held in two batches from June 3 to 8, 2025, at Marian Hotel, Calabar, drew participants from tertiary, secondary, and primary health facilities across the state.
In addition to the training, the NCDC presented 101 tablets—complete with power banks, protective pouches, and screen guards—to the trained surveillance officers. The digital tools are aimed at enhancing real-time data collection, timely disease reporting, and rapid public health response.
Speaking at the training session, the Cross River State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Henry Egbe Ayuk, represented by the Director of Medical Services, urged participants to maximize the opportunity and handle the gadgets with care and responsibility.
“These tools are not gifts but work equipment that must be maintained and used judiciously for the good of our health system,” he stressed.
The NCDC Director General, Dr. Olajide Idris, represented by the national team lead, Mrs. Yetunde Olaitan, commended the participants for their enthusiasm and charged them to remain proactive in carrying out effective surveillance to prevent potential disease outbreaks in the state.
In his welcome address, the Director of Public Health in the Ministry, Dr. Goodwill Effah, acknowledged the timeliness of the intervention, noting that the training and deployment of digital tools will significantly improve the state’s outbreak response mechanism.
The State Epidemiologist and Manager of the PHEOC, Dr. Inyang Ekpenyong, who gave the vote of thanks, appreciated the NCDC for its consistent support, while also recognizing the World Health Organization (WHO) and Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) for their ongoing contributions to disease control efforts in the state.
She emphasized that the era of complacency in surveillance work is over. “It will no longer be business as usual,” she warned. “There are strict measures in place to ensure these devices are well-used and protected.”
As part of accountability measures, Dr. Donald Omang, the NCDC Senior Surveillance Support Officer for Cross River State, ensured all recipients signed undertakings to guarantee proper usage and safekeeping of the tablets.
Speaking on behalf of the participants, Mrs. Inyang Archibong Edem expressed deep gratitude to the NCDC and the organizers, stating that the digital devices will significantly ease data management and improve disease tracking across health facilities in the state.
With this intervention, Cross River joins the league of states making decisive moves toward digital surveillance and outbreak preparedness, aligning with national and global health security standards.
Kingsley Agim
