The Kaduna State House of Assembly has passed a bill to establish the Kaduna State Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (KDCDC), a move aimed at strengthening the prevention, detection, and control of communicable and non-communicable diseases, as well as other public health emergencies in the state.
The bill, titled “A Bill for a Law to Establish the State Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (KDCDC) and Other Matters Connected Therewith, 2026”, was passed during a plenary presided over by the Speaker, Hon. Yusuf Dahiru Liman.
The proposed centre is expected to provide a coordinated framework for disease surveillance, outbreak response, and emergency preparedness across Kaduna State.
The passage followed the presentation and adoption of the report of the Joint Committee on Health and Judiciary, chaired by the Hon. Haruna Barnabas, representing the Kauru/Chawai Constituency.
Presenting the report, Barnabas said the legislation would provide a legal and institutional framework for disease prevention, detection, and control, as well as other public health emergencies. He noted that the committee observed the bill would significantly strengthen the state’s capacity to respond to disease outbreaks and improve public health interventions.
Barnabas added that the committee recommended amendments to some provisions of the bill, including its title, enactment clause, commencement provisions, and interpretation sections.
The bill underwent thorough and in-depth study by the House before being passed into law. Hon. Mahmud Lawal, representing Zaria City Constituency, moved the motion for the bill’s passage, which was seconded by Hon. Henry Danjuma, representing Kagarko Constituency.
In an interview after the plenary, Barnabas described the bill as a major milestone in strengthening Kaduna State’s public health system, noting that it had been under consideration since 2020. He said the establishment of the centre would ensure a rapid and coordinated response to disease outbreaks, which often occur without warning.
“The importance of this bill cannot be overemphasised because it gives the mandate to address issues arising from disease outbreaks. These outbreaks do not announce their arrival, and there is always a need for immediate intervention,” he said.
Barnabas added that the KDCDC would serve as a central platform for disease surveillance and emergency response, enhancing coordination across the health sector. He expressed confidence that the state government, under Governor Sani, would fully support the centre’s take-off, noting the administration’s continued prioritisation of healthcare delivery and funding.
Additionally, a proposed bill for a law to establish the Kaduna State Structure for Signage and Advertisement Agency, 2013, was presented by the Chairman of the House Committee on Market Development and Judiciary. The bill was referred back to the joint committee on market development after observations by the House.
