DRASA Launches N15bn Endowment Fund for Infectious Disease Control

Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja

Ten years after her singular act of heroism literally saved millions of people in Nigeria from the deadly Ebola, late Dr. Ameyo Stella Adadevoh’s memory was again relived with the unveiling of a N15 billion endowment fund to tackle emerging infectious disease epidemic.

The fund, an initiative of Dr. Ameyo Stella Adadevoh Trust Fund (DRASA), a non-governmental organisation named after the late physician, was launched at a ceremony marking the 10th Anniversary of the organisation in Abuja on Monday.

The launching of the endowment fund came just as the federal government raised alarm over the rising threat of drug-resistant infections, which it said were now, “a silent pandemic”.

Speaking at the event, Managing Director of DRASA, Mrs. Niniola Williams, said the endowment fund will help the organisation in its drive to improve the country’s emergency response preparedness in the health sector.

Williams said DRASA had made a lot of impact in the last 10 years of its existence, training over 15,700 health workers in infection prevention and control; and establishing and developing 96,800 Health Champions, who were actively promoting hygiene, improving sanitation practices across nation.

She said the organisation was planning to build an academy with target training of additional 50,000 health workers to help boost infectious disease intervention in the country.

Director of Port Health Services, Nse Akpan, who represented Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Ali Pate, identified what he described as rising threat of drug-resistant infections in Nigeria.

He said, “The rising threat of drug-resistant infections is a silent pandemic. If we fail to act now by investing in strengthening infection control in hospitals, promoting responsible use of antibiotics in communities, and embedding hygiene practices in schools, then we risk undermining the very foundations of modern medicine.

“Through DRASA’s support to the government in developing and launching Nigeria’s second One Health AMR National Action Plan and their work training nearly 16,000 health workers in infection prevention and control, we see what is possible when prevention is prioritised.”

The minister said DRASA’s grassroots-to-government approach was evidenced by how they had mobilised nearly 100,000 Health Champions in communities, schools, health facilities, and government institutions and how they had supported policies, like National Patient Safety and Care Quality Strategy.

He also praised DRASA’s role and contributions in key technical platforms, such as the SWAp Health Security Technical Working Group and National Antimicrobial Resistance, adding that such partnerships have strengthened the bond between government and civil society.

Director General of Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), Dr. Jide Idris, said the centre had worked collaboratively with DRASA in carrying out intervention programmes to check spread of infectious diseases around the country.

According to Idris, NCDC and DRASA are currently engaged in the effort to drive awareness and other intervention measures to address the rising cases of antimicrobial resistance in the country.

In his goodwill message, former Director General of NCDC, Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu, praised the role being played by DRASA in assisting government to develop and implement measures against infectious diseases in Nigeria.

The highlight of the event was the unveiling of N15 billion DRASA Endowment Fund to help drive the initiative for another decade.

Among dignitaries that graced the occasion were Chief of Staff to the President, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, and former Minister of Health, Professor Onyebuchi Chukwu.