The federal government in collaboration with other stakeholders has called for an effective proposal for the global pandemic fund application, and robust health security systems in the country.
They said doing so would strengthen preparedness and response against disease outbreaks in the country as well as pandemics.
They made the call Monday in Abuja during the national dialogue on Nigeria’s Pandemic Fund Grant Application organised by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC).
The Coordinating Minister for Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, said the federal government was committed to strengthening domestic efforts against disease outbreaks and building resilient health infrastructure.
He said the Pandemic Fund was a critical tool that could help facilitate cross-sectoral collaboration to effectively address health challenges.
The Director-General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), Dr Jide Idris, said the dialogue was among others geared towards ensuring that Nigeria’s application for the pandemic fund, is effectively used in addressing national needs.
He said the last pandemic (Covid 19) had made it evident that Nigeria needed a robust health security infrastructure with emphasis on prevention, disease surveillance and preparedness and response capabilities.
