By: Julian Adetinuyo
Stakeholders, government officials, and public health experts converged in Lafia to advance a legal framework aimed at strengthening public health security in Nasarawa State.
The 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.
Declaring the event open, 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,” Mohamed stated.
Barr Alhassan Sabo, Director of Legal Drafting, confirmed that the bill had been submitted for approval, emphasizing its alignment with international best practices.
According to the Ministry of Agriculture’s updates on anthrax containment says: “We aim for 80-90% livestock vaccination to protect public health.”
Representatives from the World Health Organization (WHO) stressed the importance of a structured legal framework to enhance Nigeria’s response to health emergencies. “A legal approach enhances Nigeria’s ability to prevent and respond to health crises.”
During the event, 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.”
Also, 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 faster infectious disease response.
- 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 measures to address zoonotic and foodborne diseases while ensuring proper disposal of infectious waste.
- Vaccination Policies – Encouraging mandatory immunization for children while providing medical exemptions where necessary.
During the plenary session, citizens raised concerns about human rights protections during health crises, equitable access to healthcare, and the importance of community involvement in disease prevention.
The stakeholders agreed that feedback and recommendations from the engagement will be reviewed and integrated into the final draft of the Public Health Security Bill 2024 before it proceeds through the legislative process for enactment.
