NCDC And NGO Train Lawyers On Health Security Legal Framework
Resolve to Save Lives (RTSL), an NGO, in collaboration with the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), has trained over 30 legal practitioners on the health security legal framework for epidemic preparedness in Nigeria.
Mr. Cedric Aperce, Senior Legal Adviser at RTSL, announced this during a three-day Training of Trainers for Nigerian Legal Officers held on Monday in Nasarawa State.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that the training addressed the critical need for capacity building in health security, as highlighted by Nigeria’s 2023 Joint External Evaluation.
Aperce emphasized that the International Health Regulations imposed certain obligations on Nigeria, which need to be incorporated into national laws and regulations.
“The NCDC, with support from RTSL, is leading efforts to develop new legislation at both federal and subnational levels to meet these obligations. This will enhance the country’s ability to respond to and prevent disease threats, ultimately protecting Nigerians,” he said.
He highlighted that since the 2019 review of federal laws related to health security, significant progress has been made in areas like surveillance and responsiveness, with new regulations and bills being presented to the National Assembly to bolster health security.
Safiya Musa, Legal Adviser at NCDC, represented by Assistant Legal Adviser Amira Abubakar, underscored the vital role of legal officers in safeguarding public health, particularly during public health crises.
“Public health events have consistently shown the intricate relationship between health imperatives and legal frameworks. As legal officers tasked with upholding justice and the rule of law, our role in interpreting and implementing public health laws is crucial,” Musa said.
She noted that Nigeria faces unique public health challenges that require a robust legal framework to protect its citizens from infectious diseases, such as cholera, and other health hazards.
“This training aims to equip you with the necessary tools and knowledge to navigate these complexities effectively,” Musa added.
She explained that public health law is a relatively new field in Nigeria, with many lawyers more accustomed to traditional court practices. The introduction of public health legal preparedness by the NCDC is a significant step forward.
“The Ebola and COVID-19 pandemics highlighted the importance of a legal framework in Nigeria. With such a framework, we would have guiding laws on how to respond,” Musa noted.
She added that the training would equip lawyers to draft regulations to control public activities that promote diseases like cholera. Amending laws such as the NCDC Act, the Public Health Emergency Bill, and the National Health Act would significantly enhance Nigeria’s disease control capabilities.
Mr. Emem Udoh, Legal Adviser at RTSL Nigeria, stated that the training is part of RTSL’s support to the Federal Government and Nigeria to improve the legal framework for health security.
“RTSL focuses on supporting countries to enhance their legal framework and build legal capacity. This training is aimed at legal capacity building, involving over 30 legal officers from various MDAs implementing international health regulations,” Udoh explained.
Participants at the training praised RTSL and NCDC for the initiative, emphasizing that the knowledge gained would be disseminated further. Mr. Usman Adamu from the Jigawa State Ministry of Justice highlighted the need for stronger legislation to tackle disease challenges.
Mr. Mohamed Shuab, Managing Partner at the Resource Centre for Awareness for Good Governance and Development in Kano, noted that the training would help states better understand health laws and security, and strengthen their legal preparedness.
The initiative is seen as a significant step towards enhancing Nigeria’s readiness for future public health emergencies.
