Dr Hannatu Janada Dimas is a Medical Epidemiologist, in the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and has presented at LEPH conferences in previous years. She is a member of the Global Law Enforcement & Public Health Association and Co-convenor of the GLEPHA Intersectionality & LEPH Special Interest Group.
At LEPH2021, Dr Dimas will be delivering a presentation on “The role of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps in Covid-19 Risk Communication” which is currently scheduled for W9 (Day 3, Wed 24th of March at 11am EST).
Presentation abstract
COVID-19 is a novel disease not been previously identified in humans. Information about the disease has been unclear though more about it is being unveiled with ongoing research. Risk communication (RC) refers to exchange of real-time information, advice and opinions between experts and people facing threats to their health. It aims to enable people at risk to take informed decisions to protect themselves and others, have positive behaviour change and maintain trust. It is an effective approach during public health emergencies. The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corp (NSCDC) is a front-line disaster respondent agency and maintains a strategic position in the RC National Technical working group as well as the RC pillar of the Nigeria centre for disease control.
Some NSCDC officers from various commands attended joint COVID-19 RC training of trainers alongside officers from other law enforcement outfits. The training was facilitated by the NCDC and partners with the aim of having a pool of Security stakeholders with RC capacity for COVID-19 response in Nigeria. Other objectives were; to prepare the security agencies to respond to emerging communication challenges of COVID -19 response, support response activities- especially in security compromised areas, build the capacity of the security stakeholders to address stigma and manage rumours using an integrated approach, and integrate the security agencies into the national and sub-national RC strategies.
The trained personnel made up a pool of resource persons within the Corps who cascaded the training to other key officers at their various state commands. This process empowered personnel to be knowledgeable about strategies for RC, able to follow the guidelines while carry out their assignments and able to embark on RC activities in their localities. This includes; Community Engagement meetings, Social media posts, Live Television and Radio shows. The NSCDC personnel also worked along with the NCDC rapid response teams in the states.
The NSCDC has been trained on COVID-19 RC and has been playing a significant role in carrying out RC activities in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This has contributed to controlling the spread of the virus within under-served and security-challenged communities.
About Dr Hannatu Janada Dimas
Dr. Hannatu Janada Dimas is a physician, public health specialist, field epidemiologist and the pioneer head of the public health department of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC). She is currently a Medical Officer/Epidemiologist – Chief Superintendent of Corps in the Crisis Management Directorate of the Corps. Her position has not deterred her from volunteering to participate in humanitarian activities whenever and wherever she gets a chance to do so.
Dr. Dimas has a Medical degree (MBBS) from the University of Maiduguri. She also has a Master’s in Public Health (MPH) from Ahmadu Bello University Zaria in conjunction with the US Centers for Disease Control, after passing through a two-year in-service field-based training Nigeria Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Program (NFELTP).
Dr. Dimas is a researcher with focus on communicable diseases, she has special interests in the Malaria research, immunization, outbreak investigation, disease surveillance and risk communication. As a law enforcement officer, she has a bias for gender-based issues as well as substance misuse.
She is a fellow of the Institute of Disaster Management and Safety Science, the Chartered Institute of Risk Management of Nigeria and a member of the International Society of Substance Use Professionals (Nigeria Chapter). She has participated in and facilitated numerous national public health missions, including immunization campaigns, outbreak investigations, and other epidemiological researches amongst others over the past seven years. She has served on various national committees with respect to Disaster Management and Emergency response. Dr. Dimas is a skilled facilitator and a mentor to several grassroots public health officials and epidemiology trainees nationwide. She has facilitated/led basic epidemiology trainings for grassroots disease surveillance officers and other public health officials in Nigeria.
She has presented papers at various national and international scientific conferences.
She is married and has 4 lovely children. She likes to play badminton, travel and spend time with children.
