EPIDEMIC READY PHC PROJECT
Strengthen Nigeria's PHC's system as a frontline defense against epidemics.
The Epidemic Ready Primary Healthcare (ERPHC) Pilot is a strategic initiative aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s primary healthcare (PHC) system as the first line of defense against epidemics. The project integrates epidemic preparedness and response into routine PHC service delivery to support early detection, timely reporting, and effective outbreak management—while ensuring the continuity of essential health services.
Launched in August 2023, the ERPHC Pilot is implemented by the African Field Epidemiology Network (AFENET) in collaboration with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), and Resolve to Save Lives.
The project operates across 256 primary healthcare facilities in Kano and Ogun States, with 192 intervention facilities receiving comprehensive technical and operational support.
The Challenge
Primary healthcare facilities are often the first point of contact during disease outbreaks, yet many face systemic challenges that limit their readiness. These include weak surveillance systems, delayed reporting mechanisms, limited workforce capacity, and poor integration between routine healthcare delivery and epidemic preparedness structures.
As a result, outbreaks may go undetected at early stages, response efforts are delayed, and essential health services are often disrupted during public health emergencies.
Strengthen public health surveillance, emergency preparedness, response, and recovery
Strengthen public health laboratory systems
Enhance prevention, detection and management of non-communicable diseases (NCDs)
Promote Universal Health Coverage.
Advance the One Health approach and climate change mitigation.
Promote public health research, innovation, publication and networking
Impact and Learning
The ERPHC model demonstrates the effectiveness of targeted interventions in improving health facility preparedness and epidemic readiness. The project supports Nigeria’s 7-1-7 target for timely outbreak detection, notification, and response, aligning with national health security priorities.
This pilot showcases a scalable and sustainable approach to strengthening frontline healthcare systems, reducing the socioeconomic burden of epidemics, and safeguarding public health across Nigeria.
