Global Health Security Demands Collective Effort, Says DUFUHS VC
Professor Jesse Uneke, the Vice Chancellor of David Umahi Federal University of Health Sciences (DUFUHS), has reiterated that global health security can only be effectively safeguarded through collective and coordinated international efforts. He made this assertion while addressing participants at a high-level conference in Abuja that brought together experts in biosafety, biosecurity, health, environment, and national security.
Professor Uneke emphasized that the world’s growing vulnerability to emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases demands proactive strategies anchored in prevention, early detection, and rapid response mechanisms. According to him, building viable and resilient health systems should be at the heart of every nation’s security agenda, as public health threats now transcend borders and sectors.
“Global health security is not a one-country responsibility. It is a shared commitment requiring collaboration among governments, health institutions, scientists, and communities,” he stated. “The goal must be to strengthen the capacity to prevent, detect, and respond swiftly to outbreaks and other biological risks.”
He identified several critical challenges undermining global health stability, including the increasing frequency of infectious disease outbreaks, the interconnectedness of globalization, and the alarming rise of drug-resistant pathogens. These factors, he said, collectively heighten the potential for global pandemics and call for renewed investment in health infrastructure and surveillance systems.
Highlighting the transformative role of science and technology, Professor Uneke pointed out that advancements such as artificial intelligence (AI), synthetic biology, and rapid diagnostic technologies are reshaping the landscape of biosafety and biosecurity. However, he cautioned that these innovations must be carefully managed to prevent misuse and ensure that safety standards keep pace with innovation.
In a separate presentation titled “Protecting People, Pathogens, and Data,” Air Commodore Raymond C. Nwankwo, the Director of Intelligence at the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA), underscored the growing intersection between biological science and national security. He emphasized that biological risks, whether accidental or deliberate, pose serious security challenges that demand integrated responses from health, defense, and intelligence sectors.
Nwankwo proposed several measures for strengthening institutional biosecurity, including conducting comprehensive risk assessments, maintaining accurate inventory systems for biological materials, and using certified biological safety cabinets to minimize exposure risks. He noted that data protection is now as crucial as pathogen control in ensuring national and global biosecurity.
Also speaking at the event, the President of the Nigerian Biological Safety Association (NIBSA), Dr. Stella Ngozi Udo, commended the organizers for convening the conference at a time of heightened global health concerns. She urged participants to approach the discussions with a spirit of collaboration and determination to improve public health outcomes through better biosafety practices.
Dr. Udo stressed that biosecurity is not merely a technical or scientific issue but a societal responsibility that requires the commitment of policymakers, researchers, and community leaders. She encouraged the adoption of evidence-based frameworks that prioritize human well-being while safeguarding the environment and scientific innovation.
The conference concluded with a renewed call for stronger regional partnerships, enhanced regulatory frameworks, and continuous capacity building to ensure that Nigeria and other nations remain adequately prepared to confront future biological threats and global health emergencies.
