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President Muhammadu Buhari, on Tuesday, signed the Bill for an Act to establish the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), thereby giving legislative backing to the agency.

The agency, which was established in 2011, said the passage of the bill also establishes Nigeria’s national public health institute. According to a statement signed by Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu, CEO of NCDC, this will ensure Nigerians are well protected from the public health threat of global emerging infectious diseases.

“We are very grateful for Mr. President’s support in the passage of the Executive Bill,” said Ihekweazu. This Bill will provide Nigerians with an institute that has the capacity to ensure the country’s health security.”

At the public hearing of the bill in January, Chairman, Senate Committee on Primary Healthcare and Communicable Diseases, Mao Ohuabuna, said the senate was keen on passing the bill to give the health agency a legislative backing. He said this is one way to achieve Universal Health Coverage in the country.

According to the senator, the goal of the proposed act was to provide control, prevention, coordination and also facilitate the detection of outbreaks and the effective management of communicable diseases in Nigeria.

NCDC said its core mandate is to detect, investigate, prevent and control diseases of national and international public health importance.