The Lagos State Ministry of Health has trained Disease Surveillance and Notification Officers (DSNOs) to strengthen the state’s capacity for early detection, reporting, and response to public health threats.
Permanent Secretary Dr. Dayo Lajide on Thursday emphasized the importance of maximizing in-person training opportunities despite funding and logistical constraints.
The training, themed “From Data to Action: Hands-on Surveillance Evaluation Using Case-Based Approaches,” brought together frontline surveillance officers, public health experts, laboratory scientists, and development partners to enhance skills in real-time data use and coordinated response.
Describing the theme as apt, Lajide noted that the shift from data collection to actionable intelligence is central to effective public health interventions in today’s complex global health environment.
Highlighting the critical role of DSNOs, she said, “You are truly the first point of alert in our system,” stressing the need to follow proper reporting channels for timely interventions at both district and state levels.
She also underscored the importance of accurate communication, warning that poor information management could trigger public anxiety, especially during infectious disease outbreaks such as COVID-19.
“We may be doing a lot of work, but without proper dissemination of information, the public remains uninformed,” she said, adding that trained public affairs officers are essential for effective risk communication.
Lajide acknowledged the contributions of stakeholders across the surveillance ecosystem, describing collaboration as essential for building a resilient health system.
Dr. Ismail Abdus-Salam, Director of Epidemiology, Biosecurity, and Global Health, called the programme a flagship initiative unique to Lagos State. He noted it reinforced learning through repetition and introduced innovations, including the transition from paper-based to electronic systems and improved data communication to policymakers.
“The essence of this programme is capacity building and ensuring that we translate data into action,” he said.
State DSNO Mr. Lakunle Openiyi said the training focused on equipping participants with practical skills using real-time case scenarios. “The goal is to ensure surveillance data guides timely and evidence-based public health decisions at both community and state levels,” he said.
Ibeju-Lekki DSNO Mr. Samson Omotesho said the case-based approach improved understanding of outbreak detection and response. Somolu DSNO Mrs. Adebukola Adeniji highlighted better comprehension of data analysis and reporting accuracy. Both called for ongoing capacity-building initiatives at local government and facility levels to strengthen grassroots surveillance.
Dr. Modinat Akiolu, Surveillance and Disease Control Programme Officer at the Lagos State Primary Health Care Board, described surveillance as the “eyes and hands of the health system.”
“Imagine missing an outbreak in your community and the number of lives affected. This highlights the importance of your role,” she said, commending the programme’s consistency and the Ministry’s support.
Akiolu emphasized that surveillance extends beyond data collection to include leadership, problem-solving, and service delivery, all aimed at protecting public health.
