Nigeria Centre for Disease Control

Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) is the national public health institute of Nigeria, with the mandate to lead the preparedness, detection, and response to infectious disease outbreaks and public health emergencies. The headquarters are in Abuja, Nigeria's capital.

History

The NCDC was established in the year 2011 in response to the challenges of public health emergencies and to enhance Nigeria’s preparedness and response to epidemics through prevention, detection, and control of communicable diseases. Its core mandate is to detect, investigate, prevent and control diseases of national and international public health importance.

Function

The primary functions of the NCDC include the provision of surveillance, epidemiological investigation, laboratory diagnosis, research, logistics, vaccination and emergency response to communicable diseases and other public health emergencies. The Centre also provides leadership and technical partnership to prevent, detect, and respond to infectious disease outbreaks.

Structure

The NCDC is led by a Director General who is assisted by a team of competent staff. The Centre has departments that handle various aspects of disease control including Surveillance and Epidemiology, Laboratory Services, Health Emergency Preparedness and Response, and Health Promotion.

Achievements

Since its establishment, the NCDC has successfully responded to several outbreaks of diseases in Nigeria including Lassa Fever, Meningitis, Yellow Fever, and more recently, the COVID-19 pandemic. The Centre has also been instrumental in the development and implementation of the National Action Plan for Health Security (NAPHS).

Challenges

Despite its achievements, the NCDC faces several challenges including inadequate funding, weak health infrastructure, and a shortage of skilled manpower. These challenges have sometimes hampered the Centre's ability to effectively respond to disease outbreaks and public health emergencies.

See also

• Public health in Nigeria
• Healthcare in Nigeria
• COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria

External links

• Official website

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  Front view of the NCDC Headquarters
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  A lab scientist labelling a cryovial tube to aliquot suspected COVID-19 sample at the NCDC National Reference Laboratory

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  Logo of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control
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  Front view of the NCDC Headquarters
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  A lab scientist labeling a cryovial tube at the NCDC National Reference Laboratory