Jide Idris, the director general of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), has unveiled plans to elevate the centre into a global leader in public health.

Mr Idris, speaking to journalists on Sunday in Abuja, expressed commitment to advancing public health initiatives in the country.

He identified gaps in disease prevention, detection, surveillance, and emergency preparedness and noted the need to enhance efficiency and performance.

Mr Idris said NCDC has structured a roadmap from 2024 to 2026, focusing on disease prevention, detection, surveillance, and emergency preparedness and response to safeguard the country’s health security.

He said the roadmap aims “to make NCDC a world-renowned health institute.”

“With strategic planning and collaboration, NCDC, under my leadership, aims to significantly impact global health outcomes,” said the DG.

He stressed the importance of international, federal, and sub-national partnerships, including collaborations with Ministries of agriculture and environment, academia, research personnel, and the media.

Speaking of response to a surge in disease outbreaks nationwide, he said the agency had activated emergency measures to combat meningitis, diphtheria, and cholera.

“Currently, in our country, we are responding to the following disease outbreaks, including meningitis (2,173 cases and 202 deaths in 22 states and 96 local government areas).

“Diphtheria 16,518 cases; 22 states; 160 LGAs, Total confirmed death: 839, CFR- 5.0 per cent, and cholera( 410 cases and five deaths in 17 states and 38 LGAs,” he said.

He said the agency has an Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) for Lassa fever and cerebrospinal meningitis.

“We have recently deployed national rapid response teams to support states for both Lassa fever and meningitis and provide medical supplies capacity-building to the states,” Mr Idris said.

Additionally, he said, cases of diphtheria and cholera had been reported in multiple states, prompting swift action from the agency.

“Collaboration with the NPHCDA has been initiated for meningitis vaccination campaigns,” he said.

In light of the meningitis outbreak, he highlighted the transmission and symptoms of the disease and urged healthcare workers to maintain a high index of suspicion and report suspected cases promptly.

(NAN)