The Director-General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Jide Idris, has outlined ambitious plans to position the center as a leading global institution in public health.
During a press briefing in Abuja on Sunday, Mr. Idris underscored the NCDC’s commitment to advancing public health initiatives across the nation. He emphasized the imperative of addressing gaps in disease prevention, detection, surveillance, and emergency preparedness to enhance overall efficiency and performance.
Mr. Idris revealed that NCDC has developed a comprehensive roadmap spanning from 2024 to 2026, focusing on disease prevention, detection, surveillance, and emergency preparedness and response to bolster the country’s health security.
“Our goal is to elevate NCDC into a world-renowned health institute,” stated the DG. “Through strategic planning and collaborative efforts, we aim to significantly influence global health outcomes.”
He emphasized the critical role of partnerships with international, federal, and sub-national entities, including collaborations with Ministries of agriculture and environment, academia, research institutions, and the media.
Addressing the surge in disease outbreaks nationwide, Mr. Idris noted that the agency had activated emergency measures to combat meningitis, diphtheria, and cholera.
“As of now, we are actively responding to several disease outbreaks across the country,” he revealed, citing specific statistics for meningitis, diphtheria, and cholera cases and fatalities reported in various states.
Mr. Idris highlighted the establishment of Emergency Operations Centers (EOCs) dedicated to managing Lassa fever and cerebrospinal meningitis outbreaks. He also mentioned the deployment of national rapid response teams and the provision of medical supplies and capacity-building support to affected states.
Furthermore, he emphasized swift action taken in response to reported cases of diphtheria and cholera, including collaboration with the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) to initiate meningitis vaccination campaigns.
In light of the ongoing meningitis outbreak, Mr. Idris urged healthcare workers to remain vigilant, promptly report suspected cases, and adhere to established protocols to mitigate the spread of the disease.
