NCDC Calls for State Advocacy

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) calls for state level advocacy towards robust support for surveillance by state governments across Nigeria.

It made this call at its 2nd Annual Surveillance Review Meeting in Enugu State from March 14 to 17 aimed to reinvigorate and re-launch efforts towards stronger disease surveillance in Nigeria.

Speaking, the National Coordinator and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the NCDC, Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu, said: “This meeting is my first direct interaction with all state colleagues as the CEO of NCDC. It is,therefore, an opportunity to further create the muchneeded national alignment around our priorities at the NCDC and enumerate how states can ensure our impact is felt across the country.”

According to him, it is a joy to see the quality of deliberations, and engagement by all the states and partners at this meeting. “This is clearly in support of my expectations that everything we have identified here will be addressed before the next meeting.”

Therefore, he urged partners to “work with us and not for us”, injecting a sense of urgency in epidemiologists and disease surveillance officer in terms of working harder to protect the health of Nigerians.

Meanwhile, the Director of Surveillance of NCDC, Olubunmi Ojo said, “The success achieved at the meeting was as a result of the dedication of participants from states and the generous support of our partners.”

Reacting to news that the Federal Executive Council in Abuja approved the NCDC’s bill to proceed for legislative approval through the National Assembly, the association said it marked a major milestone in the activities of disease surveillance and response in Nigeria.