Buhari signs NCDC bill into law

THE President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari, has signed the Bill for an Act to establish the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) into law.

The new Act will establish NCDC as a full-fledged parastatal to protect the health of Nigerians by delivering on its core functions of preparedness, detection and response to outbreaks of infectious diseases.

With the passage of the Bill establishing Nigeria’s national public health institute, the Federal Government of Nigeria has shown its commitment in ensuring Nigerians are well protected from the public health threat of global emerging infectious diseases.

In a release, Chief Executive, NCDC, Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu said “We are very grateful for Mr President’s support in the passage of the Executive Bill. This Bill will provide Nigerians with an institute that has the capacity to ensure the country’s health security.

“We are also grateful to the Honourable Minister and Minister of State for Health for their support and the Senate Committee on Primary Health Care and Communicable Diseases led by Senator Mao Ohuabunwa.”

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The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) was established in the year 2011 in response to the challenges of public health emergencies and to enhance Nigeria’s preparedness and response to epidemics through prevention, detection, and control of communicable diseases. Its core mandate is to detect, investigate, prevent and control diseases of national and international public health importance.