NCDC completes health security evaluations in five states, launches action plans

Abdullateef Fowewe

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has coordinated Subnational Joint External Evaluations (JEEs) in Bauchi, Akwa Ibom, Plateau, Rivers and Bayelsa states to assess public health capacities, pinpoint gaps and guide state-level investments in health security.

The JEEs—aligned with the International Health Regulations (IHR 2005)—examined core capacities across financing, One Health coordination, laboratory systems, disease surveillance, workforce strength and emergency response.

Outcomes so far include five completed JEEs, documented strengths and priority gaps, and the development of three State Action Plans for Health Security (SAPHS) to translate findings into actionable, state-owned roadmaps.

Workshops in the five states, supported by partners including US entities and the EpiC project, are helping ministries of health and stakeholders turn assessment results into practical plans under the IHR framework.

In Rivers State, for example, officials pledged to address identified gaps by prioritising sustainable health security systems, updated public health legislation, predictable domestic financing, formalised One Health governance and stronger surveillance and laboratory networks.

In a statement released on Friday, NCDC said, “Strengthening the capacity of states to prevent, detect and respond to public health threats is critical to Nigeria’s health security.

“This year, NCDC coordinated Subnational Joint External Evaluations in five states — Bauchi, Akwa Ibom, Plateau, Rivers and Bayelsa — to assess existing capacities, identify priority gaps and guide state-level health security investments.”

The agency added that the process is designed to help states own and fund their preparedness priorities, rather than rely on ad hoc emergency arrangements.