By Adamu Yusuf
The Senate has passed a bill sponsored by Senator Sunday Marshall Katung for the establishment of a Federal Teaching Hospital to serve the Federal University of Applied Sciences, Kachia, Kaduna State.
The bill was passed during plenary today’s following consideration of a report presented by Senator Abdul Ningi, representing Bauchi Central, on behalf of the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Health (Secondary and Tertiary), Senator Banigo Ipalibo Harry.
Presenting the report, Senator Ningi said the committee had examined the bill, consulted legal drafting experts and scrutinised its provisions clause by clause. He explained that the proposed teaching hospital would help address the shortage of medical personnel and strengthen healthcare delivery.
The committee recommended that the Senate pass the bill, which seeks to amend the First Schedule of the principal Act to include the Federal University of Applied Sciences Teaching Hospital, Kachia.
The recommendation was supported by the Senate Minority Leader, Senator Abba Moro, representing Benue South.
The Senate subsequently dissolved into the Committee of the Whole, considered the bill clause by clause and approved it as recommended. Senate President Godswill Akpabio commended the health committee for its contributions to the passage of the legislation.
Reacting to the development, Senator Katung expressed appreciation to the Senate President, the leadership and members of the Senate for their support, describing the passage as a significant step towards realising the establishment of a federal teaching hospital to serve Southern Kaduna and the country.
Editing by Khadija Kubau