The Lagos State Primary Health Care Board has reaffirmed that infection prevention and control (IPC) measures remain fully active across all primary healthcare centres in the state, even as concerns over a newly reported COVID-19 case in Cross River State begin to draw public attention.
The Board’s Permanent Secretary, Ibrahim Mustafa, gave the assurance in an interview on Sunday with the News Agency of Nigeria, stressing that Lagos has continued to maintain strict health safety protocols introduced during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic.
He explained that although the intensity of the pandemic has reduced, the virus has not completely disappeared, and health authorities are still treating it as a present public health concern rather than a past crisis.
According to him, the major shift in recent years has been the impact of vaccination programmes, which have improved immunity levels among residents and reduced the severity of infections where they occur.
Mustafa noted that many people received multiple doses of COVID-19 vaccines during the height of the pandemic, which contributed to broader population-level protection and helped limit severe outcomes.
He added that while infections may still occur, they are generally milder due to the strengthened immunity within the community.
However, he disclosed that COVID-19 vaccines are currently not available in stock nationwide, adding that efforts are ongoing at the federal level to restock and restore access for the public.
Once new supplies are secured, he said, vaccination services will resume to ensure continued protection for residents who may still require booster doses or initial vaccination.
Beyond COVID-19, Mustafa emphasised that infection prevention and control practices have now become a permanent part of healthcare delivery in Lagos, extending to the management of a wide range of communicable diseases.
He explained that these measures include routine hand hygiene, use of alcohol-based sanitisers in facilities without running water, and the mandatory use of face masks for patients showing symptoms of respiratory illness.
Healthcare workers are also required to strictly observe clinical hygiene standards, including the use of gloves for each patient and proper disposal after every use to prevent cross-contamination.
Mustafa stressed that simple practices such as handwashing before and after patient contact remain one of the most effective tools for protecting both health workers and patients from infection.
While he acknowledged that most infrastructure and supplies needed for infection control are in place, he said improving compliance and awareness among healthcare workers and the public remains a continuing priority.
He warned that lapses in basic infection control practices could increase the risk of not only COVID-19 transmission but also other bacterial and viral infections.
According to him, the experience of the pandemic highlighted the importance of IPC measures, but these safeguards are intended for all infectious diseases and must remain consistently enforced.
Mustafa also pointed to Nigeria’s high level of internal movement and cross-border travel as an ongoing risk factor for disease transmission, particularly in Lagos, which serves as a major economic and population hub.
He said the constant flow of people in and out of the state means that health authorities must remain vigilant and continuously strengthen public awareness to prevent future outbreaks.
Meanwhile, the confirmation of a new COVID-19 case in Cross River State has renewed national attention on the virus.
The case involves a 53-year-old Chinese national working in Akamkpa Local Government Area, who arrived in Nigeria on March 17 and later developed symptoms before testing positive.
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed the infection and said the patient has been isolated and is receiving treatment under established medical protocols.
Health authorities added that the patient is in stable condition and responding well to care.
The NCDC also moved to reassure the public, stating that there is currently no evidence of widespread transmission linked to the case.
It further explained that all identified contacts are being monitored, as part of standard containment procedures designed to prevent any potential spread.
With Lagos maintaining strict infection control systems and national health agencies closely tracking new cases, authorities say continued vigilance remains essential despite the easing of global emergency measures for COVID-19.
