MORENIKE O. ALEXOKOH

Stopping Covid At The Airport

DIRECTOR, PORT HEALTH SERVICES DIVISION DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH

FEDERAL MINISTRY OF HEALTH

Dr. Morenike Alex Okoh obtained a Bachelors degree in Medicine & Surgery from the University of Benin in 1988 and thereafter, a Masters in Public Health from the University of Lagos and is a Fellow of the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria, with over 2o years of cognate experience in public health practice. She is consummate professional with a passion for public health. She is the Director Port Health Services, Federal Ministry of Health and the National Team Lead, (Operational and Administrative) for Points of Entry in Nigeria. She was the Operational Team Lead for the Point of Entry Response during the Ebola Virus Disease outbreak in 2014 and is leading the team in the ongoing COVID-19 Point of Entry Response. She is also the Pillar Lead for the Point of Entry Pillar/Technical Working Group of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 in Nigeria.

Dr Morenike Alex-Okoh, during her technical review visit to the MMIA, Lagos, commended

WHO for providing the additional personnel and technical expertise to support screening of passengers on entry to the country. “WHO has remained a dependable ally to Port Health Services in strengthening IHR capacities for responding to public health events at the Points of Entry, this has remained true during this COVID-19 preparedness and response”, she said.

She stated further that the ministry is working with state governments for containment of cases that will not manifest at ports as it is equally as important to engage the states in preparedness of Covid 19. According to her, all states are expected to ensure social mobilization to sensitize people on the necessity to go to health facilities should the need arise.