13th November, 2018
The Chief Executive Officer, Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu, on Tuesday commended President Muhammadu Buhari for the signing of an Act establishing the agency.
Ihekweazu expressed his delight in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja.
He said since its establishment in 2011, NCDC has demonstrated its capacity to protect the health of Nigerians by delivering on its core functions of preparedness, detection and response to outbreaks of infectious diseases.
He said the new Act had made the establishment a full-fledged parastatal, adding that its valuable work will now be fully sustained and supported.
“We are very grateful for Mr President’s support in the passage of this executive bill. This bill will provide the country an institute that has the capacity to ensure health security.
“We are also grateful to both Minister of Health and the Minister of State for Health for their support, and the Senate Committee on Primary Health Care and Communicable Diseases led by Sen. Mao Ohuabunwa.
“With the passage of the bill establishing Nigeria’s national public health institute, the Federal Government has shown its commitment in ensuring the protection of the public from global emerging infectious diseases,” he said.