The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has said that Nigeria needs N4 billion to tackle infectious diseases.

Chief Executive Officer of the NCDC, Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu stated this on Monday at the launch of Alliance for Epidemic Preparedness and Response (A4EPR) in Lagos.
The launch of A4EPR is aimed at getting major stakeholders in the health sector to combat infectious diseases.

The NCDC boss, who stressed the need for urgent moves to prevent the spread of infectious diseases, said “Nigeria actually needs about N4 billion to combat infectious diseases. This does not mean that all the money must come from government; the private sector has a role to play.

“There is the need for financial assistance in critical segments of combating infectious diseases such as infrastructure and equipment which needs about N1.8 billion.
“The infrastructure and equipment are responsible for the machines and test variables while we also need response and logistics of about N700 million.

“In Emergency Stockpile, we need N600 million, for the Technology and Innovation segment, we need N600 million, Capacity Development needs N200 million, while Advocacy and Community engagement will require N100 million.”

Ihekweazu further restated the agency’s mandate of enhancing the country’s preparedness and response to epidemics while also seeking a way forward in the intervention of infectious diseases, draw attention to the need of innovative partnerships in health emergency.

The alliance is an initiative of the Private Sector Health Alliance of Nigeria (PHN) and Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).

By Ololade Olatimehin