The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has outlined its ambitious health security agenda for the year 2024. The director-general of NCDC, Dr. Ifedayo Adetifa highlighted the pivotal role of health security and the strategic initiatives to be pursued during an interview with Science Nigeria on Monday.
Aligning with President Bola Tinubu’s ‘Renewed Hope’ agenda and the coordinating minister of health and social welfare’s four-point agenda, the NCDC places a significant emphasis on health security as the fourth agenda. Adetifa emphasised that through strategic planning, robust partnerships, and a commitment to excellence, the center aims to play crucial roles in building a healthier and more resilient nation in the coming years.
Among the key initiatives on the health security agenda, the NCDC aims to amplify its Mpox research and the Lassa fever vaccine development research. Additionally, the center will work towards the Community-Based One Health Participatory and Empowerment Strategy for One Health Interventions (COPE) project and the Media-EIS fellowship, among other endeavours. These efforts are designed to enhance preparedness and response strategies for priority diseases.
Adetifa highlighted the importance of understanding the dynamics of diseases, particularly during the current dry season historically associated with outbreaks like Lassa fever, meningitis, and measles. He noted that heightened community awareness and environmental challenges from climate change and human activities contribute to the increased reported cases during this period.
As the nation continues to recover from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, the NCDC has launched a comprehensive five-year strategic plan to strengthen its capacity and optimise engagement with stakeholders. The plan serves as a roadmap to protect the health of Nigerians, building on lessons and infrastructural gains acquired during the pandemic.
Adetifa underscored the agency’s commitment to being strategic and ambitious, emphasising the need to scale with speed. He also highlighted the importance of strengthening collaborations with subnational stakeholders, recognising the vital role of states and local government areas in ensuring health security.
Reflecting on activities in 2023, Adetifa mentioned the lessons learned from interagency collaboration in responding to outbreaks of diphtheria, anthrax and rabies. He emphasised the importance of collaboration, particularly with sister agencies like the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), in sharing data, information and strategies vital for combating diseases.
Initiating the launch of the zonal reference laboratory projects in 2023 marked a significant milestone and the NCDC looks forward to rolling out six labs by the end of the year as part of its ongoing efforts to enhance health security in Nigeria.
