Cross River State Validates Public Health Legal Assessment Report, Moves to Strengthen legal framework for health security
The Cross River State Government, in partnership with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) and Resolve to Save Lives (RTSL), has held a stakeholder validation meeting for the Public Health Legal Assessment Report, marking a significant step toward strengthening the state’s legal foundation for health security and emergency preparedness.
The event brought together over 30 representatives from key Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), civil society, and development partners to review and validate the 2025 Public Health Legal Assessment Report.
Jointly developed by Cross River State, NCDC, and RTSL, the report assesses the alignment of state health laws with the International Health Regulations (IHR) 2005.
It highlights key legislative gaps and provides a roadmap for reform in areas such as disease surveillance, laboratory biosafety, food safety, and emergency response funding.
“We are proud of this joint effort with NCDC and RTSL,” said Hon. Ededem Charles Ani, Commissioner for Justice. “The validation of this report is more than a process it affirms our commitment to a legal system that protects our people in times of health emergencies.”
The comprehensive assessment involved desk reviews, legal mapping, and consultations, revealing several challenges:
- Lack of IHR-compliant definitions for critical terms like quarantine and public health emergency
- Weak surveillance and reporting systems, with no legal backing for IDSR framework
- Inadequate protocols for zoonotic diseases, food safety, and inter-agency collaboration
- Absence of biosafety standards in laboratories
- Gaps in emergency public health funding
Dr. Henry Egbe Ayuk, Commissioner for Health, warmly represented by Dr. Stephen Agbor emphasized:
“This assessment gives us clarity on where reforms are needed and will inform the development of a robust Public Health Security Law for Cross River State.”
Six major recommendations emerged from the meeting:
- Incorporation of IHR-compliant terms in legislation
- Legal adoption and enforcement of the IDSR framework
- Expansion of laws to cover zoonotic and foodborne diseases
- Establishment of biosafety and biosecurity standards
- Activation of a statutory public health emergency fund
- Drafting of a comprehensive Public Health Security Law defining MDA roles, coordination, and response protocols
Barr. Emem Udoh, RTSL Nigeria’s Senior Legal Advisor, praised the process:
“This is what true public health partnership looks like—clear legal vision, strong government ownership, and cross-sector collaboration.”
Barr. Aniekan Akpan, Programme Officer at Orixine Consulting, added:
“This has been one of the most participatory and technically sound legal reviews we’ve supported. Stakeholders from justice, health, environment, and civil society all contributed to a forward-thinking framework.”
With the validation now complete, Cross River State will begin drafting a new Public Health Security Bill an ambitious legislative move aimed at ensuring effective, coordinated, and legally backed responses to public health threats.
