Providing updates on disease control efforts, an official from the Ministry of Agriculture highlighted the state’s anthrax containment strategy. “We aim for 80-90% livestock vaccination to protect public health,” Photo Credit: RSTL
Stakeholders, government officials, and public health experts convened in Lafia to deliberate on the development of a robust legal framework aimed at strengthening public health security in Nasarawa State.
The high-level engagement, held at Nasarawa, focused on the proposed Public Health Security Bill 2024, which seeks to enhance disease surveillance, epidemic preparedness, and emergency response mechanisms across the state.
Declaring the event open, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Justice, Barr. Isaac Edoh underscored the significance of a comprehensive legal framework in addressing evolving public health challenges.
“A robust legal structure is essential to ensuring that Nasarawa State is well-prepared to manage public health threats efficiently. The Public Health Security Bill 2024 lays the foundation for a coordinated response to disease outbreaks and other health emergencies,” Mohammed stated.
Legislative Efforts
Barr Alhassan Sabo, Director of Legal Drafting, confirmed that the bill had been submitted for approval, emphasizing its alignment with international best practices. “This legislative effort ensures public health security and aligns with global standards,” Sabo stated.
Representatives from the World Health Organization (WHO) also stressed the need for a structured legal framework to enhance Nigeria’s response to health emergencies. “A legal approach strengthens Nigeria’s ability to prevent and respond to health crises,” a WHO representative noted.
Legal Framework
As part of the discussions, the Ministry of Health presented a report titled “Enhancing Health Security in Nasarawa State: The Need for a Strong Legal Framework for Disease Surveillance and Epidemic Preparedness.”
Additionally, the Ministry of Justice outlined key provisions of the bill, including:
- Mandatory Disease Surveillance & Reporting – Establishing Disease Surveillance Officers and integrating electronic reporting tools for rapid detection and response to infectious diseases.
- Public Health Emergency Management – Mandating the activation of the Public Health Emergency Operations Centre (PHEOC) within 24 hours of a confirmed outbreak.
- Infection Prevention & Control – Implementing stringent measures to combat zoonotic and foodborne diseases, along with ensuring the safe disposal of infectious waste.
- Vaccination Policies – Encouraging mandatory immunization for children while allowing medical exemptions where necessary.
Human rights protections
During the plenary session, citizens and civil society representatives raised concerns regarding human rights protections during health emergencies, equitable access to healthcare, and the importance of community involvement in disease prevention strategies.
Stakeholders unanimously agreed that feedback and recommendations gathered from the engagement would be reviewed and integrated into the final draft of the Public Health Security Bill 2024 before it proceeds through the legislative process for enactment.
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