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General News of Thursday, 11 June 2020

Source: www.mynigeria.com

Infectious Disease Bill apportioned too much power to NCDC - DG

Chikwe Ihekweazu Chikwe Ihekweazu

Chikwe Ihekweazu, the Director-General of the Nigerian Center for Disease Control, NCDC, has said that the drafted Infectious Disease Bill apportioned too much power to his office.

Ihekweazu stated this after a public hearing on the bill convened by the House of Representatives.

The NCDC DG, however, agreed that the current bill which has been guiding the agency in the fight against COVID-19 is outdated and needs to be replaced.

His statement on Twitter reads: "The Nigerian Center for Disease Control, NCDC, is grateful for the support from National Assembly to strengthen the legal framework for health security in Nigeria.

"The Quarantine Act which has guided some our work as we respond to COVID-19 is outdated. It is important to change our approach given the increasing threat & occurence of disease outbreaks

"The Infectious Disease Bill is an opportunity to strengthen Nigeria’s health security.

"As the country's national public health institute, we recognise the importance of a Bill that enables us to achieve our mandate of protecting the health of Nigerians

"But we also note that the draft bill apportioned too much power to the office of the DG.

"A new legislative framework is a once-in-lifetime opportunity for health security in #Nigeria

"The public hearing provided an opportunity for us to share our experience with COVID-19 & contribute to the proposed Bill

"We need to be better prepared for the next pandemic".