On the 22nd of November 2024, the National Committee on Healthcare Services held a one-day public hearing for stakeholders at the National Assembly Complex in Abuja, to discuss important bills and policies concerning the Nigerian health sector.
During this engagement meeting, the four proposed bills by the committee focused on were:
- Bill 1: A bill for an act to amend the National Tobacco Smoking (Control) Act 2015 to impose stricter penalties for smoking in public places.
- Bill 2: A bill for an act to amend the National Health Insurance Authority Act 2021 to establish the National Social Register (NSR) for disbursing funds to vulnerable groups.
- Bill 3: A bill for an act to establish the Institute of Health Service Administrators of Nigeria bill 2021.
- Bill 4: A bill for an act to amend the National Residency Training Act 2018 to create a National Residency Training Board for the federation and for related matters.
Participants of this one-day public hearing included legislators and representatives of the various Nigerian medical associations such as, the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria (MDCAN), MWAN, NARD, as well as other private health institutions. However, of the 4 bills, only bills 1 and 2 was supported by the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) and her affiliates present at the occasion.
According to the medical association representatives, bill 3 would duplicate hospital roles and contradict responsibilities, while the primary constituency concerned with Bill 4 – the NARD (an NMA affiliate) – was not consulted about the proposed amendment of their National Residency Training Act.
Earlier in July as well, representatives of the Nigerian medical associations attended the Public Hearing organized by the Senate Committee on Health, to engage with key stakeholders on critical health-related bills that directly impact the health and wellbeing of Nigerians, including the welfare of Nigerian doctors. This NMA delegation, made up of the First Vice-President and Chairman of the NMA Committee on Medical Legislation and Relations, Dr. Benjamin Oluwatosin Olowojebutu, alongside the leadership of MDCAN and NMA-FCT, also met with several Senators to discuss essential issues pertaining to the Nigerian health sector.
According to Dr Mannir Bature, the NMA National Publicity Secretary in July, “…Among the bills reviewed was the Health Infrastructure Development Bill and other related matters. We remain committed to vigilance and advocacy to protect the interests of our esteemed members”.
