From Thomas Atyap, Kaduna
The Kaduna State House of Assembly has passed a bill seeking to establish the Kaduna State Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (KDCDC), a move aimed at strengthening the state’s capacity to prevent, detect and respond to disease outbreaks and other public health emergencies.
The bill, titled ‘A bill for a law to establish the Kaduna State Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (KDCDC) and Other Matters Connected Therewith, 2025,’ was passed during plenary on Tuesday after the Assembly adopted the report of its Joint Committees on Health and Judiciary.
The passage followed the third reading of the bill and marks a significant step towards improving public health management in Kaduna State.
Speaking on the development, Chairman of the Joint House Committees on Health and Judiciary, Hon. Haruna Barnabas, described the bill as a critical piece of legislation whose importance cannot be overstated.
Barnabas, who represents Kajuru/Chikun Constituency, noted that the bill had been before the Assembly since 2023 and required thorough legislative scrutiny before its eventual passage.
According to him, the proposed centre will serve as a specialized agency responsible for promoting, coordinating and facilitating the prevention, detection and control of both communicable and non-communicable diseases, as well as managing other public health concerns across the state.
He stressed that disease outbreaks often occur unexpectedly, making it necessary for the state to have a dedicated institution capable of responding swiftly and effectively.
“Disease outbreaks come without warning, and it would be unrealistic to assume that Kaduna State is immune to such occurrences. Once established, the centre will be responsible for the prompt detection and management of outbreaks to prevent escalation,” he said.
Barnabas expressed optimism that the centre would position Kaduna State ahead of many states in the country in terms of public health preparedness and emergency response.
He further commended Governor Uba Sani’s commitment to the welfare of citizens, expressing confidence that the centre would receive adequate funding and support to operate effectively once the bill is assented to, and becomes law.
The establishment of the Kaduna State Centre for Disease Control and Prevention KDCDC is expected to enhance disease surveillance, improve emergency health response mechanisms, and strengthen the state’s overall healthcare system.