Nasarawa kicks off workshop to strengthen public health laws

By Adetinuyo Julian

Nasarawa State has officially commenced its Public Health Legal Assessment Workshop; a four-day event aimed at enhancing the state’s public health legal framework to better respond to emergencies.

The workshop, held in Keffi, brings together key stakeholders, including government officials, legal experts, and public health professionals, to evaluate the state’s existing health laws.

The initiative being part of the Public Health Legal Reform Project, was co-implemented by the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Health with support from Orixine Consulting and Resolve to Save Lives (RTSL).

The primary focus of the workshop was to ensure Nasarawa’s public health laws align with International Health Regulations (IHR) 2005 and national health security standards.

This follows month of collaboration with state officials, traditional leaders, and civil society organizations, facilitated by RTSL and Orixine Consulting.

For the first time in Nigeria, the workshop is utilizing the newly approved NCDC Subnational Legal Assessment Tool to identify gaps and opportunities in the state’s public health laws.

This tool is expected to guide the drafting of a new Public Health Security Law for Nasarawa, making the state a pioneer in using this innovative legal framework for health security.

Workshop Objectives

The Public Health Legal Assessment Workshop has three main goals: including to ensure compliance with national and international public health standards, identify strengths, weaknesses, and gaps in the current laws to improve enforcement and governance, as well as produce a comprehensive report that will shape future legislative reforms while highlighting areas in need of external support.

Key Partners

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) is leading the evaluation, with participation from the Ministries of Health, Agriculture, and Environment, along with other representatives from Nasarawa’s health security governance structure.

Speaking on behalf of the Commissioner for Justice, Alhassan Sabo Esq, Director of Public Defender at the Ministry of Justice, stated, “We are committed to making Nasarawa State a model for public health security by strengthening our legal framework. This workshop is a vital step in achieving that goal.”

He further expressed gratitude to Governor Abdullahi Sule for his leadership and support.

Dr. Danjuma Oyinaka, representing the Commissioner for Health, noted that, “This initiative will help address current public health challenges and ensure that Nasarawa State is better equipped to handle future health threats in line with the state’s health reform agenda.”

Amira Abubakar, Assistant Legal Adviser at NCDC, remarked that,
“Nasarawa’s leadership in adopting the legal assessment tool is commendable. We believe the outcome will serve as a model for other states across Nigeria.”

RTSL, which is providing both financial and technical support, was represented by Emem Udoh, Senior Legal Advisor, who noted that,
“the organisation is ready to partner with Nasarawa State on this important project, and we look forward to the positive impact this legal reform will have on the state’s health security.”

The workshop will run until October 24, 2024, with a final report expected to guide the development of a new Public Health Security Law for Nasarawa State.