The Epidemiological Society of Nigeria holds its 11th and Annual General Meeting (AGM) at the main auditorium of the National Universities Commission (NUC), Maitama, Abuja.

The event took place from June 5-7, 2024 with the theme “One Health and the Rising Prevalence of Zoonotic 

The Conference was aimed at interrogating the current Human, Animal and Environmental health issues in Nigeria under the One-Health approach

Then the delivery of EPISON in contributing ideas that could assist the National Health Systems in providing solutions towards the mitigation of the burden of diseases that afflict humans especially those of animal origin.

The Conference was attended and declared open by the Coordinating Minister of Health & Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate.

The Conference was also graced with the country representative of the World Health Organisation, Dr Walter Kazadi Mulombo, Dr. Nonye Egenti Secretary General, the Regional Coordinator, African Field Epidemiology Network Dr Patrick Nguku, the International Epidemiology Association, President Dr Akin Adebiyi.

The members of the Board of Trustee of EPISON led by its Chairman Prof Michael Asuzu also attended, the Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC) Dr Chris Maiyaki, and host of dignitaries.

During the conference a new National Executive Committee was elected, to run the affairs of the Association for the next two years, with Dr Matthew Ashikeni as the new National President.

Participants at the Conference brainstormed on how to address the myriads of factors militating against successful prevention, control, management and possible eradication of priority diseases in humans and animals.

And came up with the resolution and recommendations to the Government and development partners as well as other stakeholders in Health Systems in the Country.

Which includes Establishment and implementation of leadership and coordination structure for major epidemic-prone diseases as was previously done for COVID 19 in 2020/21.

Government urgently improving the availability and access of human and animal vaccines especially for the zoonotic and epidemic-prone priority diseases through adequate support and provision for indigenous vaccines Research and Development (VRD)

Government to provide adequate funding that would be deployed towards funding disease control including enhancement of infrastructures, etc.

The Nigerian government should actively work to mitigate the effects of climate change through investments in infrastructure, resilience, resource management, etc through the establishment of both Institutional and Technical Frameworks.

The News Agency of Nigeria Reports that EPISON should continue to sensitise to obtain the buy-in of all other One Health stakeholders to be part of the Association especially Animal Health and Environmental Health professionals and practitioners.