A qualitative inquiry on the status and adequacy of legal instruments establishing infectious disease surveillance in Nigeria

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: The threat of devastating disease outbreaks is on the rise with several outbreaks recorded across the world in the last five years. The intractable Ebola Virus Disease outbreak in West Africa which spread to Nigeria was a reawakening point. This study reviews the status and adequacy of the legal framework surveillance for disease in Nigeria. METHODS: a mixed methods approach comprising of document reviews and key informant interviews was used in data collection. RESULTS: fourteen key informants from the federal ministry of health (FMOH) and six States were interviewed. Five legal instruments were identified and reviewed. The Quarantine Act of 1926 remains the active National Law on disease surveillance in Nigeria. An Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response Policy (IDSR) was developed in 2005 as the means for achieving the International Health Regulations (IHR). CONCLUSION: the legal instruments establishing disease surveillance in Nigeria require strengthening and possibly enactment as a National Law in order to address emerging disease threats.

Keywords

• disease outbreaks
• infectious diseases
• legislation
• nigeria
• regulation
• surveillance