The Nigerian Infectious Diseases Society (NIDS) has called for strengthened intersectoral collaboration to improve the prevention, detection, and control of infectious diseases, following resolutions reached at its 16th Annual General Meeting and Conference.
The recommendation was contained in a communiqué issued at the end of the conference held in Kaduna and made available to journalists in Abuja on Friday by the society’s President, Dr. Mahmood Dalhat.
According to the communiqué, the conference was held under the theme, “Resilient Health Systems in a Changing World,” and focused on confronting emerging and endemic infectious disease threats in Nigeria amid global, environmental, and socioeconomic challenges.
It listed sub-themes including reimagining infectious disease control, addressing global health financing constraints, advancing HIV care through long-acting antiretrovirals, driving vaccine self-reliance through local manufacturing, and examining the impact of climate change on disease re-emergence.
The conference emphasized the urgent need for intersectoral collaboration among NIDS, government agencies, development partners, academia, and the private sector to better position Nigeria for effective prevention, detection, and response to infectious disease threats.
It identified artificial intelligence as a critical tool for bridging gaps in data science, research and development for vaccines and medicines, healthcare planning, disease surveillance, and evidence-based decision-making across national systems.
The communiqué recommended increased domestic funding for surveillance, laboratory strengthening, outbreak preparedness, workforce development, decentralized healthcare delivery, strategic purchasing, and improved governance and coordination at both national and subnational levels.
It urged the adoption of innovative financing mechanisms, including public–private partnerships and health security trust funds, to expand local manufacturing of vaccines, diagnostics, and therapeutics, while reducing donor dependence through sustainable budgetary commitments.
The conference also called for sustained investment in biotechnology, regulatory reforms, accelerated approvals, phased rollout of long-acting antiretroviral therapies, equitable access strategies, and strengthened implementation of the One Health and antimicrobial resistance action plans.
In addition, it advocated climate-sensitive disease surveillance, stronger inter-ministerial coordination, broader stakeholder engagement, and partnerships with donors and research institutions. The communiqué appreciated the support of the Kaduna State Government and reaffirmed NIDS’ commitment to infectious disease prevention, diagnosis, and treatment in Nigeria.
