Nigeria’s disease control agency unveils new strategies, fights infections

Nigeria’s National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has released its 2017–2021 horizon thematic strategy to tackle prevention and control of disease in the country.

The new strategy incorporates a new vision and mission that cascades into 5 Strategic Goals, 22 Objectives and 89 Activities. It includes accurately measure the burden of infectious diseases and ensure Nigeria meets its international obligations under the International Health Regulations (IHR).

Others are to develop a public health laboratory network to support the detection, prevention and response to critical infectious diseases, reduce the adverse impact of predictable and unpredicted public health emergencies, and create an efficiently managed and evidence-based organisation with a clear focus on health promotion and disease prevention.

Chikwe Ihekwazu, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) NCDC, says the agency promise is to be a world class service based organisation with the competence to protect Nigerians from the trends of diseases.

“As Nigeria’s public health institute, our vision is to provide a healthier and safer Nigeria through the prevention and control of diseases of public health importance”

“2017-2021 Strategic plans seek to create a strong vision for NCDC supported by well-articulated implementation and delivery plan.

According Chikwe, months of developing the NCDC Strategy has produced a new organogram, five goals, 22 objectives and 89 activities and deliverables

“The NCDC bill and the implementation of the National Health Act (2014) will be fast-tracked to ensure effective public healthcare delivery” Said Mao Ohuabunwa, Chairman Senate committee on Primary Health Care and Communicable Diseases.

“Before the end of the year, we hope to implement the 2014 National Health Act, especially the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund where 1% of consolidated annual revenue is set aside to support health”

According to him, the launch of the NCDC Strategy and Implementation Plan is coming at a time when we need to raise our awareness/surveillance level as well as our response time to outbreaks when they occur.

“Infectious diseases are always parts of us and we need to be prepared while also informing the public that we are here for them” Mahesh SwamiNathan, country director US Center for Disease control and prevention (CDC).

“The NCDC is one of the health youngest parastatals of Federal Ministry of health Nigeria and we are pleased with her activities, we will continue to support and NCDC activities, noting our work in a difficult context” Clement Uwaifo, permanent Secretary Federal Ministry of health.

ANTHONIA OBOKOH