Implementation of Ebola Preparedness Plans in Tertiary Hospitals in South East Nigeria

Following Nigeria's successful containment of the 2014 Ebola outbreak, maintaining institutional preparedness through functional implementation of Ebola preparedness plans remains essential, particularly in tertiary hospitals that serve as outbreak epicentres for case management. This study evaluates the implementation status of Ebola virus disease preparedness plans at five tertiary hospitals in South East Nigeria, covering Anambra, Enugu, Imo, Abia, and Ebonyi states. A cross-sectional institutional assessment will be conducted using an adapted WHO VHF Preparedness Checklist, evaluating the presence and operationalisation of isolation units, personal protective equipment stockpiles, staff training completion records, emergency notification protocols, and healthcare worker post-exposure management plans. Key informant interviews will be conducted with infection control officers and hospital management. Document reviews of preparedness simulation exercise reports will assess the operationalisation of plans beyond paper-level compliance. Post-2014 national assessments of Nigerian hospital Ebola preparedness identified marked deterioration in readiness following the emergency period, with most facilities reverting to baseline deficiencies. Findings will generate a comparative preparedness index for South East tertiary hospitals and provide recommendations for the Federal Ministry of Health to sustain Ebola preparedness infrastructure through periodic simulation exercises and dedicated budgetary allocations. Keywords: Ebola preparedness, tertiary hospitals, South East Nigeria, infection control, VHF