A group from the United States government, through its Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, has visited Nigeria to gain knowledge on developing capacity for disease detection, preparedness, and response in the global health arena.
The delegation was recently in Nigeria on a learning visit, according to Mr. Brian Massa, Director of Global Health Advocacy at the United Nations Foundation.
They visited the National Reference Laboratory of the Nigerian Center for Disease Control in Abuja.
“We are here at the national reference lab in NCDC to learn about the great work that the Nigerian government is doing with capacity building for global health security, disease detection, preparedness and response.
“Nigeria is in line with the IHR, core capacities, that are required to detect, assess, notify and respond to public health risks and emergencies of national and international concern, as stipulated in Articles 5 and 13, and Annex 1, of the Regulations,” he said.
According to Massa, the group visited the lab diagnostic facilities and had discussions about the value of robust health systems, the integration and sharing of data for disease detection across the nation, and the nation’s response to the current monkeypox outbreak, among other topics.
“This year’s visit to Nigeria will further develop the roster of Congressional staffers who work on global health policy to understand how bilateral Global Health Security investments in the country have strengthened global health security and pandemic preparedness,” he disclosed.
According to him, it was a great partnership between the Nigerian government and the United States government.
