Senate passes National Health Bill
Obiora Ani, Abuja
The Nigerian Senate has passed the National Health Bill aimed at regulating, developing and managing a National Health System as well as setting standards for rendering health services to the citizenry.
The bill also seeks to define, streamline and provide a framework for the regulation of health services in Nigeria.
The bill
When the bill is signed into law, the Federal, State and Local governments will be compelled to ensure that appropriate mechanisms are put in place for the implementation of the National Health policy.
Obasanjo-Bello said there were provisions in the Bill to sanction any erring state or local government that failed to provide counterpart funding for the implementation as funding for such a state or local government would be cut off.
It spells out rights and duties of healthcare providers, health workers, agencies and users, and serve as a guide in the development, promotion and formulation of national health, amongst others.
The bill spent seven years before its passage.
Women across Nigeria had on Wednesday, gathered at the National Assembly for a protest march to muster support for its passage.
Meanwhile, Senator Iyabo Bello Obasanjo on Thursday assured the women group of the passage of the bill.
Analysts believed that the passage of the bill will enhance good health care delivery in Nigeria
Qasim
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