Discussing Pandemic Preparedness and Public Health Reform at the subnational level in Nigeria

1. Public Health Infrastructure and
Pandemic Preparedness: The need for
a robust Public Health Reform at
subnational level in Nigeria
December 2022
Emem Udoh
Legal Advisor

2. Outline
• Background
• Lessons learned from the COVID-19
pandemic
• Need for public health reform at subnational
level
• Areas of reform for pandemic preparedness
• Conclusion

3. Background
• A strong governance structure is a critical factor for epidemic
preparedness and response
• Public health infrastructure provides the capacity to prevent disease,
promote health, and prepare for and respond to both acute (emergency)
threats and chronic (ongoing) challenges to health
• Infrastructure is the foundation for planning, delivering, evaluating, and
improving public health
• A strong public health infrastructure includes
• Capable and qualified workforce
• Up-to-date data and information systems
• Agencies that can assess and respond to public health needs

4. Global emergence of selected pathogens over
the past 50 years
Source: United States National Institutes of Health, National Institute for Allergies and Infectious Diseases

5. The Cost of Not Being Prepared
• The current COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated
and emphasized the need for urgent investments in
preparedness
• The economic disruption caused by the COVID-19
pandemic could cost more than $16 trillion—many
times more than the projected cost of preventing
future pandemics
• Unless preparedness improves, epidemics are
inevitable—and will be costly

6. Estimated costs of past health emergencies

7. Lessons learned from the COVID-19 Pandemic
• Strong political and technical leadership needed at all levels
• Building resilient health systems and protecting the frontline health
care workers at all levels
• Health and the economy are interlinked
• Improve investments in pandemic preparedness
• Public health is a shared responsibility

8. Need for public health reform in pandemic
preparedness
• Public health law reform is necessary because existing statutes are
outdated, contain multiple layers of regulation, and are inconsistent
• A model law would
• Define the mission and functions of public health agencies
• Provide a full range of flexible powers
• Specify clear criteria and procedures for public health activities

9. Characteristics of Public health law reform
• The law reform process provides an opportunity for public health
agencies
• To draw attention to their resource needs and achievements
• To form ties with constituency groups and enduring relations with the legislative
branch of government
• Ultimately, the law should become a catalyst, rather than an
impediment, to reinvigorating the public health system

10. Areas of Reform at subnational level
• Increase national and subnational funding for epidemic preparedness
and response
• Strengthening sub-national health systems capacities through stepped
up investments in
• Surveillance and laboratory Systems
• Workforce developments
• Emergency Operation Centres and Strong governance structures
• Contingency Emergency and Outbreak trust fund
• Public Health Research for the development and implementation of evidence-
based public health policy and action

11. Conclusion
• The COVID-19 pandemic is a clear reminder to prioritize
investments in preparedness and response across levels
• A strong public health system is critical to ensure effective crisis
response and prevention
• Successfully functioning health systems underpin States’ ability to
detect and respond to disease threats
• The Jigawa State health security bill is an opportunity to strengthen
the health security governance and implementation

12. RESOLVETOSAVELIVES.ORG