The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Zamfara Chapter, says it is working with key stakeholders to intensify surveillance and preventive measures against Ebola virus disease (EVD) in the state.
The state chairman, Dr Muhammad Murtala, said this at a press briefing in Gusau on Friday to mark the 2026 Physicians’ Week.
This year’s theme is “Securing the Future of Medicine in Nigeria.”
Murtala, who is also the Incident Manager at the state’s Polio Emergency Operations Centre, said the NMA, in collaboration with the state Ministry of Health and its partners, had developed an incident action plan to raise public awareness about Ebola.
He said the Ministry of Health had met with key medical stakeholders and public health experts to ensure active disease surveillance.
“We are fully engaged and prepared to manage any Ebola case carefully and prevent further spread,” he said.
On polio, Murtala said the state had recorded 21 cases across seven local government areas.
He said that although polio was eradicated in Zamfara in 2020, challenges including insecurity in hard-to-reach areas and vaccine non-compliance had contributed to its re-emergence.
“We are collaborating with partners such as WHO and UNICEF to ensure effective polio vaccination, especially to reach every child aged 0 to 59 months across the state,” he said.
On diphtheria, Murtala said the state had recorded at least 1,500 suspected cases, of which only four were confirmed by laboratory tests. He added that deaths linked to diphtheria had also been recorded.
Murtala said Physicians’ Week was an important annual event that celebrated doctors’ contributions to national development. He said it also provided an opportunity to reflect on challenges facing the medical profession and identify sustainable ways to strengthen healthcare delivery.
“This year’s theme is particularly timely, considering the evolving global healthcare challenges, increasing disease burden, emerging technologies and workforce shortages,” he said.
He noted that significant challenges remained, including the growing burden of communicable and non-communicable diseases, inadequate human resources, medical brain drain and rising healthcare costs.
“These require deliberate, coordinated and sustainable responses,” he added.
Murtala said securing the future of medicine required renewed commitment to strengthening healthcare financing and improving medical professionals’ welfare and working conditions.
He also stressed the need to expand access to quality healthcare, promote research and innovation, and ensure no community was left behind.
“The quality of any healthcare system is ultimately determined not only by its facilities but also by the competence, motivation and wellbeing of its professionals,” he said.
He said the NMA would continue to advocate for policies that protect the medical profession, promote patient safety and advance universal access to quality healthcare.
Activities marking the week included scientific sessions on polio in Zamfara, the applications of artificial intelligence in healthcare, and diphtheria case management.
Murtala said the presentations were selected to address critical public health concerns and introduce members to emerging innovations in medical practice.
