U.S. CDC Team to Forge Stronger Health Ties with Nasarawa in November Visit

 A high-level delegation from the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S. CDC) is scheduled to visit Nasarawa State from November 3 to 6, 2025, in a move to strengthen collaborative public health initiatives and improve disease control outcomes.

The visit, facilitated by the Institute of Human Virology, Nigeria (IHVN), will be led by Dr. Meghna Desai, the Country Director for the U.S. CDC. The agenda includes high-level meetings with the State Governor, Engr. Abdullahi Sule, and key health sector stakeholders, including the Executive Secretary of the Nasarawa State Health Development Agency (NAPHDA), Dr. Usman Iskilu Saleh.

According to Dr. Danjuma Sanda, the team leader from IHVN, the primary objective of the delegation is to bolster collaboration and goodwill between the CDC and the Nasarawa State Government.

“Our primary aim is to strengthen collaboration and goodwill between the CDC and the Nasarawa State Government, in addition to forging strong partnerships with other health stakeholders,” Dr. Sanda stated during a preparatory meeting. “By enhancing our collective efforts, we can improve disease prevention, surveillance, and response measures throughout the state.”

The visit is expected to focus on sharing best practices, coordinating response strategies for infectious diseases, and strengthening the state's public health infrastructure. This partnership is seen as crucial for addressing Nigeria's multifaceted public health challenges.

In response, Dr. Usman Iskilu Saleh of NAPHDA welcomed the initiative and assured the incoming team of the state government’s full support.

“The state government is fully committed to facilitating an accommodating environment for the team during their stay,” Dr. Saleh affirmed. “We recognize the value of the CDC’s contributions and are eager to collaborate on initiatives that will enhance the health and well-being of our communities.”

The upcoming engagement underscores a continued commitment from international partners to support the advancement of Nigeria's health sector, with expectations high for tangible outcomes that will benefit the residents of Nasarawa State.