NCDC warns against creating overlapping public health agency
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention has raised concerns over a bill proposing a new National Institute for Public Health and Infectious Diseases. Dr Jide Idris, the NCDC Director-General, told lawmakers that the new agency would duplicate existing responsibilities and could weaken Nigeria’s disease surveillance and emergency response. He argued that the core functions of the proposed institute are already assigned to the NCDC by law. Lawmakers backing the bill believe it would strengthen Nigeria’s preparedness for future health threats.
Highlights
- Dr Jide Idris stated that the proposed institute’s responsibilities substantially overlap with those of the NCDC, risking governance conflicts and fiscal strain.
- The NCDC was established by an Act of Parliament in 2018 to serve as Nigeria’s national public health institute.
- Idris warned that creating another federal institution could undermine effective coordination and leadership during disease outbreaks.
- Lawmakers supporting the bill argue it would address gaps exposed by past outbreaks and provide a coordinated framework for disease prevention and management.
- Stakeholders from the health ministry, development partners, and civil society participated in the public hearing, which also discussed a Tuberculosis Anti-Discrimination Bill.
