The Director-General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease and Prevention Control (NCDC), Dr. Ifedayo Adetifa, has called for enhanced budget allocation to proactively address and combat public health threats.
In an exclusive interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on his two-year anniversary in office, Adetifa underscores the vital need for dedicated funding to bolster health security capabilities.
He emphasizes the importance of strengthening subnational support, considering Nigeria’s federated structure.
Adetifa emphasizes the significance of prioritizing health, encompassing human resources, equipment, training, and quality systems.
He highlights the role of political leadership in increasing funding for health, pointing to state governments like Lagos, Kano, and Gombe, which have already allocated budgets for emergency preparedness and response.
Additionally, Adetifa stresses the importance of continuous surveillance and monitoring to address diseases such as Lassa fever, particularly as the country approaches the November season.
He acknowledges the challenges of brain drain within the public health sector, attributing them in part to inadequate remuneration for public service positions and underscores the necessity of collective efforts from government and the public to address healthcare challenges.