Preparations for the 2026 Annual Scientific Conference of the Epidemiological Society of Nigeria have intensified as the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) held a strategic meeting with the Cross River State Commissioner for Health, Dr Henry Ayuk, and the Director-General of the Cross River State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr Vivian Mesembe Otu, in Calabar ahead of the forthcoming conference scheduled for 2026.
The meeting, led by the Chairman of the Local Organizing Committee, Prof Bernadine Ekpenyong, focused on strengthening collaboration with the Cross River State Government to ensure a successful hosting of the conference, which is expected to attract epidemiologists, public health experts, policymakers, and development partners from across Nigeria and beyond.
In his remarks, Dr Henry Ayuk welcomed the committee and commended the Epidemiological Society of Nigeria for choosing Cross River State as host for the 2026 conference. He assured the LOC of the Ministry’s full support, noting that the event will provide an opportunity to showcase the state’s progress in disease control, public health practice, and primary healthcare delivery. He added that the conference would further strengthen partnerships aimed at improving health outcomes in the state and the country at large.
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Speaking during the meeting, Prof Bernadine Ekpenyong stated that the conference, themed “Strengthening Epidemiological Resilience in Nigeria: Addressing Emerging and Re-emerging Health Challenges,” will bring together key stakeholders in the health sector to discuss current and emerging public health issues, innovative research, and policy directions for Nigeria.
She appreciated the state government for its willingness to support the conference and emphasized that collaboration with the Ministry of Health and the Primary Health Care Development Agency is critical to the success of the event.
Also speaking, Dr Vivian Mesembe Otu described the conference as timely, noting that Nigeria must continue to strengthen its epidemiological capacity, especially in the face of emerging and re-emerging diseases, climate-related health challenges, and the need to reinforce primary healthcare systems.
She assured the committee of the Agency’s readiness to work with the LOC to ensure a successful and impactful conference. The meeting was also attended by other members of the Local Organizing Committee, who reaffirmed their commitment to delivering a successful scientific conference that will further position Cross River State as a hub for public health dialogue, research, and innovation in Nigeria.
