The Senate has passed, for second reading, a bill seeking to establish the National Health Regulatory Agency of Nigeria.
The passage followed the presentation of the bill for debate by its sponsor, Senator Sama’ila Dahuwa Kaila, representing Bauchi North.
In his lead debate, Senator Sama’ila Dahuwa, said the bill is seeking to establish an Agency saddled with the responsibility of regulating Health services, empower health service users and support health care workers.
He further explained that the objective of the bill is to regulate the industry by ensuring product and service safety, quality, fairness, and maintaining a stable market.
Senator Samaila Kaila argued that Nigeria needs healthcare facility regulation to strengthen the health system and build public trust, noting that all health facilities must secure a certificate of standards as an important step toward quality assurance.
He added that the proposed National Healthcare Facility Regulating Agency is needed to register facilities and focus on patient safety and service effectiveness without undermining the existing professional regulatory system.
The lawmaker stressed that the Federal Ministry of Health often concentrates on the public healthcare sector, leaving the private medical sector with minimal regulation or supervision.
He noted that available data indicates the public healthcare sector meets less than 30% of Nigerians’ healthcare needs, while the private sector provides over 70%.
Senator Dahuwa, therefore, urged his colleagues to support the legislation, which he said has the potential to revolutionise healthcare delivery in Nigeria.
COV/ Bashir M
