The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has taken another strategic step toward strengthening the country’s health security architecture.

The agency announced the certification of a new cohort of PALS Multiplicators—elite public health professionals specially trained to integrate social and behavioural sciences into disease prevention and control efforts.

The Participatory Approach for Learning in Systems (PALS) initiative is designed to bridge the gap between knowledge and practice in health systems by focusing on communication, collaboration, and behaviour change within healthcare settings.

The director-general of NCDC, Jide Idris, stated on Friday in Abuja during a certification ceremony.

According to him, the milestone represents a quiet but significant transformation in the agency’s approach to infectious disease preparedness and response.

Mr Idris said the achievement was part of the Nigeria Capacity Development for Infection Prevention and Control (NiCaDe-IPC) project, which was being implemented in collaboration with the Robert Koch Institute (RKI).

“For too long, we have relied mainly on technical and biomedical interventions.

“The PALS initiative represents a paradigm shift; it moves beyond clinical expertise to include behaviour, communication, and human interactions as key drivers of public health outcomes,” he said.

He said the project had already trained 140 change agents in 35 health facilities and 41 state trainers across five of Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.

“The newly certified multiplicators represent the highest level of capacity development under the programme and are expected to serve as mentors and advocates for systemic change,” he said.

Mr Idris expressed gratitude to the Robert Koch Institute and the Global Fund, which supported training activities through its C19RM mechanism, for their collaboration in building a more resilient and effective public health system.

He said that while traditional metrics like infection rates remain important, success should also be measured by qualitative improvements, such as better teamwork, communication, and collaboration within the health system.

“The true impact of PALS may not always be reflected on a chart. Its success lies in cultural shifts, improved relationships, and sustainable behavioural change across all levels of care,” he said.

The NCDC boss also announced that PALS had been incorporated into Nigeria’s National Infection Prevention and Control Programme and Strategy, with plans underway to scale the approach nationwide.

He urged other partners and stakeholders to invest in infection prevention and control, describing it as “an investment in collective security.”

“We must be open to new metrics, new methods, and new ways of thinking. The time has come to redefine what is possible in public health,” he said.

The event brought together representatives from the health sector, academia, and development partners.

(NAN)