The Oyo State Government has established a Community-Led Rapid Response Team (CLRRT) to strengthen grassroots disease prevention and response.
This initiative was announced during the quarterly meeting of the State Executive Council of the Oyo State Ward Development Committee (WDC), held on Thursday, March 13, 2025, at the Lagelu Local Government Secretariat, Iyana-Offa.
The Honourable Commissioner for Health, Dr. Oluwaserimi Ajetunmobi, emphasized that this initiative is a crucial step in safeguarding public health. She reaffirmed Governor Makinde’s commitment to making health one of the cardinal pillars of his administration.
Speaking through the Director of Public Health, Dr. O.A. Babatunde, the Honourable Commissioner underscored the urgent need for a proactive approach to disease prevention.
“The lessons from previous infectious disease outbreaks in the State have shown us the importance of early detection and a strong response system,” she stated.
She explained that the CLRRT was designed to reinforce these efforts by engaging Ward Development Committee Chairmen at the grassroots level.
The Commissioner further stressed that the State had reached a critical point in its epidemiological journey, where stakeholders like the WDC must play an active role, especially given the decline in international support for disease control.
“We can no longer rely solely on external aid; we must take ownership of our public health system,” she noted.
Dr. Ajetunmobi also pointed out that the disengagement of many ad-hoc health workers across Nigeria had created a gap that needed to be filled with a structured, community-driven response mechanism.
Outlining the role of WDC Chairmen in the initiative, the Honourable Commissioner stated that they would be instrumental in early disease detection and reporting. “We will ensure that they receive training to recognize priority diseases such as cholera and Lassa fever,” she assured. Their responsibilities will also include community engagement and sensitization to mobilize residents, dispel misinformation, and encourage participation in public health initiatives.
Additionally, she highlighted that WDC Chairmen would facilitate contact tracing and case investigations by leveraging their knowledge of local communities. “They will play a crucial role in ensuring community cooperation for case detection, isolation, and treatment,” she explained.
She further stated that WDC Chairmen would work closely with Disease Surveillance and Notification Officers (DSNOs) to improve sanitation and hygiene practices, ultimately reducing the risk of waterborne disease outbreaks. “They will also act as key figures in risk communication, using their influence to spread vital public health messages,” she added. During outbreaks, WDC Chairmen will support DSNOs in coordinating response efforts, setting up temporary treatment sites, and identifying challenges to accessing healthcare. Additionally, they will contribute to real-time data collection to enhance disease surveillance strategies.
The operational framework of the CLRRT has been designed to ensure efficiency and accountability. Information will flow from WDC Chairmen at the ward level to WDC Chairmen at the LGA level and then to the LGA DSNO. Alternatively, reports can be sent from WDC Chairmen at the ward level to the head of any health facility (primary or secondary) in their wards or directly to the LGA DSNOs. From there, information will be escalated to the State DSNOs and, ultimately, to the State Epidemiologist.
To facilitate quick responses, a dedicated WhatsApp platform will be created, linking all LGA WDC Chairmen with officials from the Oyo State Ministry of Health. The Commissioner noted, “This will ensure rapid information sharing, allowing immediate intervention in the event of emerging health threats.”
Furthermore, the State Government, through the Ministry of Health, has concluded arrangements to recognize WDC Chairmen whose activities contribute to maintaining outbreak-free LGAs. “Those who demonstrate excellence in accurate and timely reporting of unusual health events will be acknowledged,” she announced. This initiative is intended to encourage active participation and accountability in grassroots disease surveillance.
The meeting was attended by key stakeholders, including the Health Supervisor representing the Lagelu Local Government Chairman, the State Epidemiologist and Assistant, the State DSNO and Assistant, and representatives from UNICEF and JDPC, among others. The State WDC Chairman, Alhaji Abdulfatah Oloyede, expressed gratitude to the Governor and the Commissioner for their commitment to strengthening community-based health service delivery. He also made a formal appeal for additional government support. “We need the local government chairmen to formally host our meetings, we need a monthly allowance for WDC Chairmen to cover logistics, and we request the procurement of buses for the three senatorial districts to facilitate service delivery,” he urged.
With the establishment of the CLRRT and the introduction of a structured reporting system, the Oyo State Government has taken a significant step towards reinforcing grassroots public health infrastructure. “This is not just about managing disease outbreaks; it is about preventing them before they occur,” the Commissioner concluded.
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