Ogun State has taken a significant step towards fortifying its public health infrastructure by launching a comprehensive legal framework review.
This initiative was inaugurated through a four-day Public Health Legal Assessment Workshop, held in Abeokuta.
Organised with the support of Health Ethics and Law Consulting (HELC), the workshop aimed to align the state’s public health laws with the International Health Regulations (IHR) 2005, ensuring a robust system capable of effectively addressing future public health emergencies.
The workshop, which took place at the Conference Hotel and Suites, Abeokuta, brought together a diverse array of stakeholders. Participants included representatives from the Ministries of Health, Justice, Agriculture, Environment, and Budget and Planning, alongside public health professionals, legal experts, and officials from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC); underscoring a shared commitment to strengthening the state’s public health legal framework.
HELC, in collaboration with Resolve to Save Lives (RSTL), played a pivotal role in facilitating the workshop. Utilising the Subnational Legal Assessment Tool for Public Health Law – developed in partnership with NCDC – the review process aimed to identify gaps and propose enhancements to the existing legal structures. Months of preparatory stakeholder engagement laid the groundwork for this initiative, ensuring that the perspectives of various sectors were considered.
Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, Dr. Aladehinde Kayode, highlighted the critical importance of the workshop.
Speaking on behalf of the Commissioner for Health, he said: “The Ministry of Health is committed to ensuring that our state has a robust public health security law. This will better protect us from future public health events. This workshop is crucial to achieving that goal.”
His remarks underscored the state’s proactive approach to health security, reflecting a broader vision of preparedness and resilience.
The Ministry of Justice also emphasised its support for the initiative. Representing the Commissioner for Justice, Mr. James Olubankole pointed out the limitations of the current legal framework, noting that the last revision in 2020 focused primarily on penalties.
“This workshop offers us an opportunity to amend our existing laws to ensure we can better respond to public health events,” he explained.
He highlighted the need for a comprehensive overhaul that addresses structural and procedural deficiencies.
Managing Partner at HELC, Prof. Cheluchi Onyemelukwe, expressed enthusiasm for contributing to the development of Ogun State’s health security law.
She emphasised the importance of context-specific legislation, stating: “Our experience in supporting various states has shown that each state has unique structures and dynamics that must be reflected in its legislation. We look forward to gaining deeper insights into Ogun State’s public health landscape.”
Throughout the workshop, participants critically examined the current public health legal framework, identifying gaps and validating key recommendations.
These insights will inform the drafting of a comprehensive law tailored to Ogun State’s specific needs. The collaborative effort between the state government, HELC, NCDC, and RSTL marks a significant milestone in the journey towards improved public health governance in the state.
