The Role of the Ward Health System in COVID-19 Pandemic Response in Nigeria: A Case Study of Edo State

Abstract

Background: Preventive measures remain the hallmark of effective containment of epidemics such as the recent Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. These measures are best applied using existing framework for healthcare delivery and epidemic response such as the ward health system (WHS). The structure of the WHS is interrelated to that of the Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response (IDSR) system for effective surveillance and outbreak response in the community. This paper examines the established pattern in disease prevention and the role of the WHS system in COVID-19 pandemic response in Edo State, Nigeria.

Discussion: Disease prevention seeks to avert the occurrence of disease, arrest its progress, and reduce its consequences once it is established. The various taskforce and committees that were formed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic in Edo State were not integrated with existing local government Epidemic Preparedness and Response committees and the Rapid Response Teams. They also had no links with the already established ward development and village development committees in the communities.

Conclusion: There is an existing framework for disease prevention and control based on the WHS in Edo State, however, this system was not integrated into the COVID-19 pandemic response activities. Incorporating and strengthening partnerships with the existing WHS framework would be key for effective pandemic response in the future.