The Senate has assured its commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s healthcare system and ensuring that the laws respond effectively to the realities of society.
Senate president Godswil Akpabio gave this assurance while declaring open a one day public hearing on five bills all related to health issues in Abuja.
The Chief Whip of the Senate Senator Muhammad Tahir Monguno who represented the Senate President said each of these bills is a response to pressing health challenges facing millions of Nigerians.
He however, commended the Committee for the diligence and commitment in advancing the legislative interventions that will strengthen our health system and improve quality of health care
delivery across the nation.
Earlier in her welcome address, the chairperson of senate committee on health and sponsor of National Health amendment act bill senator Ipalibo Harry Banigo applauded the sponsors of the bills for their efforts through legislation to touch the lives of millions Nigerians positively.
” I wish to applaud all the sponsors of today’s views for their foresight in enabling their constituents and the generality of Nigerians through robust law making directly touching
the lives of everyone through specified health care provisions”
Commenting on the bills senator Garba Musa Maidoki said this is a welcome development of Particular importance is the sickle cell bill suggested fir incorporating the existing ones by doing so it will significantly improve the health conditions of many Nigerians
He added already the chairperson of the committeehas proposed in increase in the percentage on health sector and we absolutely in support of that.
Senator Marshal Katung who sponsored the sickle cell centres bill explained the rationale behind the establishment of the centre
He said one day he went a family home to find a child with this diseases but because the parent cannot afford to take the child to hospital, the child suggested to the parent that less allow him to die so that the parent and himself have rest of mind on the hardship they been facing.
The five bills include sickle cell disorder research and therapy center Bill, sponsored by senator Marshal Katung , the National Health Act Amendment Bill, by Ipalibo Banigo, the Federal Orthopaedic Hospital Dekina, Kogi State by Isah Jibrin
Other bills are the National Eye Centre, Gboko, Benue State Establishment Bill by senator Zam Titus Tertenger and the National Eye Centre, Pushit-Mangu, Plateau State by Senator Plang Diket.
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