Outdated state laws threaten Nigeria’s disease outbreak preparedness — NCDC

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has cautioned that weak and outdated public health laws at the state level could jeopardize Nigeria's ability to prepare for and respond to future disease outbreaks. Dr Jide Idris, the NCDC Director-General, spoke at a Nigeria Subnational Public Health Legal Reform Guide organized by Resolve to Save Lives.

Idris highlighted the importance of state governments in protecting public health, as the initial response to outbreaks often occurs at the subnational level. Despite progress in strengthening Nigeria's public health legal framework, Idris revealed that a 2023 Joint External Evaluation still identified gaps in legal instruments, particularly at the state and local government levels.

He emphasized that health security transcends sectors and government levels, requiring coordination among various stakeholders, including health, agriculture, environment, finance, and security institutions. Idris pointed out that while the NCDC plays a central role, it cannot implement health security measures alone. He noted that some state laws are outdated, relying on laws enacted decades ago and failing to address modern public health structures like Emergency Operations Centres, electronic disease surveillance, and modern laboratory systems.

Idris stressed that to ensure swift responses to public health emergencies, states must have legally equipped frameworks in place, addressing questions such as authority, responsibilities, reporting, information sharing, coordination, and emergency funding. The NCDC, through its Legal Unit and in collaboration with Resolve to Save Lives, is supporting states in reviewing their public health laws to identify areas requiring reform.