By Muhammad Amaan
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), has raised concerns over slow progress in public health funding.
Director General of the agency, Dr Jide Idris, spoke on Tuesday during a round table meeting with health security-focused Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and NCDC officials in Abuja.
He noted that budget adjustments remained insufficient to meet the urgent needs of communities across the country, stressing that while some recent budget proposals have been recognised, funding gaps persisted.
Dr Idris also noted that modern communication strategies were needed alongside budget allocations to ensure resources were translated into awareness campaigns and interventions that reached Nigerians, particularly in rural and underserved areas.
He expressed hope that the legislative review of the health budget would reflect these urgent priorities.
Also speaking, Nigeria Coordinator for Prevent Epidemics/Immunisation Programmes at GHAI, Professor Emmanuel Alhassan said, since 2018, the orgaisation had collaborated with other organisations.
He said these organisations include Nigeria Health Watch, Africa Health Budget Network (AHBN), Vaccine Network for Disease Control, and the Dr Ameyo Stella Adadevoh Health Trust (DRASA).
He said that partnership with these organisations had helped push for budget increases that directly strengthened public health programmes.
Prof. Alhassan noted that between 2020 and 2023, NCDC’s funding increased by more than 200 per cent due to sustained advocacy efforts, including boosting allocations for Infection Prevention and Control (IPC), which previously received very little.
In spite of these gains, he warned that current allocations were still insufficient, particularly for outbreak preparedness, surveillance, and community-level interventions.
He added that public officials have limits, but when civil society presents evidence and engages constructively, stronger actions were possible.
“For example, the Minister of Health can present budget realities to parliament more effectively when backed by civic advocacy,” he said.
Meanwhile civil society leaders have emphasised the direct impact of funding shortfalls on communities.
According to Christopher Ofomhi, Executive Director of Integrity Advocacy for Development Initiative (IADI), delay public awareness campaigns, recurring infections among healthcare workers, and gaps in outbreak preparedness are real concerns affecting Nigerians daily.
“Outreach and engagement must be consistent and not limited to specific programmes. This is to ensure public health initiatives reach those they are meant to serve.”
Ofomhi urged CSOs to continue supporting NCDC by amplifying their voice, engaging local networks, and advocating for strategic resource allocation.
