The Lagos State Government has stepped up preparations for a possible Ebola Virus Disease outbreak by carrying out a strategic assessment of the Infectious Disease Hospital, Mainland Hospital, Yaba.
The exercise was disclosed on Tuesday by the state Commissioner for Health, Akin Abayomi, in a post on his X handle.
Abayomi said the assessment was undertaken as the Ministry of Health prepares “for any eventualities”, with attention given to critical infrastructure, diagnostic facilities and clinical support systems needed for an effective response to a potential outbreak.
According to him, the assessment was conducted alongside the hospital’s Medical Director, Dr Adejumo, and other key personnel.
He said, “In response to the expanding Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the Ministry of Health (MoH) is preparing for any eventualities.
In this regard, I conducted a strategic assessment of the Infectious Disease Hospital (IDH), also known as Mainland Hospital, Yaba. Accompanied by the Medical Director of the hospital, Dr Adejumo, and other key staff, we assessed the critical infrastructure, diagnostic capabilities and clinical support systems required for rapid response and containment to ensure maximum operational readiness and surge capacity.
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“We thoroughly inspected the Emergency Operations Centre (EOC), laboratory equipment, oxygen supply infrastructure, triage and isolation areas, and external site works to ensure seamless functionality during a high-consequence outbreak.
“We identified immediate maintenance needs across key operational sections including the EOC, biobank, pharmacy, catering and drainage networks to maintain the highest standards of biosafety and patient care.”
The commissioner reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to “fortifying Lagos State’s health security architecture and maintaining maximum operational readiness to safeguard public health.”
The development comes amid an Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which was declared on May 15, 2026.
More than 5,600 confirmed cases and over 2,700 deaths have been recorded in the country since the outbreak was declared, according to the information provided.
The outbreak is being driven by the Bundibugyo species of the virus, which the report says has no available vaccines or treatments, making it the largest Ebola outbreak recorded in the DRC’s history.
Last Thursday, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for $1.1 billion to fully finance an aid plan aimed at tackling the Ebola epidemic in the DRC.