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By Anthony Maliki, Abuja
The Dr. Ameyo Stella Adadevoh (DRASA) Heath Trust plans to establish a heath academy in the country with a state-of-the-art IPC Simulation Centre and an edutainment hub where health messages meet culture and creativity.
DRASA’s Managing Director, Mrs. Niniola Williams, who made this known Monday in Abuja at the celebration of its 10th year anniversary, said the plan for the academy would be part of its target for the next ten years.
“Imagine a nurse practicing how to treat a sick patient in a realistic ward; a butcher learning safe handling in a mock marketplace; a youth Health Champion producing a TikTok mini-drama that actually changes behaviour. We will build skills and competence,” she assured.
She also said DRASA will train and certify 50,000 more health workers in infection control, expand the Health Champion network to 500,000 people across schools, markets, faith institutions, and borders.
Besides, the MD pledged that DRASA will establish Centres of Excellence across all six geopolitical zones as plans for next decade.
Looking back, Mrs. Williams noted DRASA has grown from being a memorial tribute into a national institution shaping how Nigeria prevents disease and protects health.
She pointed out that the organization has established 13 public health emergency response systems for Nigeria’s largest airports, seaports, land borders in nine states as well as activated six cross-border health forums between Nigerian officials and neighboring countries of Benin and Niger to ensure data exchange, early warning systems, and stronger responses to public health emergencies across Nigeria’s borders.
The MD also noted that DRASA supported the development and implementation of 28 National and Subnational public health policies.
Speaking on some of the reasons for the establishment of DRASA, Mrs. Williams explained that it is was born as a promise to honour a courageous legacy of Dr. Ameyo Stella Adadevoh who was her aunt.
She said “People often ask, ‘where did DRASA come from?’ Well, every story has a spark. And ours began with a phone call. Her voice was calm, but sober. She said: ‘I think I have a patient with Ebola. Don’t tell anyone.’ That was my beloved aunty, Dr Ameyo Stella Adadevoh.”
Mrs. Williams further stressed that: “In July 2014, during a moment of fear and uncertainty, my aunt made a decision anchored in courage and the will to support the greater public good. That single decision helped protect Nigeria and the world from what could have been a devastating health emergency and it cost her life. She stood firm to protect Nigeria, refusing to let an infected traveller leave her hospital even though it put her own life at risk. Her legacy is the seed from which this organisation DRASA Health Trust grew.”
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate said Nigerians should not leave everything to the government to do as everybody must play their part.
Represented by the Director, Port Health in the ministry, Dr. Nse Akpan, the Minister noted that communities and youths must be engaged in disease detection and prevention stressing that Health Security should everybody’s business.
Professor Pate praised health workers from the outbreak of Ebola to COVID-19 for doing a great job on prevention. He acknowledged the efforts of DRASA at training over 100,000 Health Champions urging the organisation to do more.
A former Minister of Health, Professor Onyebuchi Chukwu delivers a message at the occasion
The minister also urged Nigeria to look inwards in the production of drugs rather than rely wholly on imported medications.
A former Minister of Health, Professor Onyebuchi Chukwu, underscored the importance of DRASA to champion the course of team work in Nigeria health space in terms of health emergency.
He reeled out the history of when Dr. Adadevoh contacted Ebola pointing out that she demonstrated the spirit of courage and perseverance.
According to him, her sacrifice led to the establishment of the African Centre of Disease Control and ECOWAS disease control centre.
Also in his presentation, Dr. Ibrahim Mohammed, Consultant Clinical Microbiologist and Head of Department, Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Gombe State University Teaching Hospital, Gombe spoke of the need for team in the health sector.
Part of the anniversary celebration was the launch of an Endowment Fund, testimonials from Community Health Champions, Student Health Champions, documentary on “Decade of Impact: Voices from the frontiers”, drama presentation by Nurse Kristine Akowa and performance by Spoken Artist, Ore Macauley.
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