Bill to make health care free for children in Nigeria passes second reading

The House of Representatives passed a bill on second reading to make health care free and compulsory for Nigerian children.

The bill, sponsored by Bello Kaoje (APC, Kebbi), was adopted in the plenary session on Wednesday, November 17. Introducing the bill, Kaoje said the bill was first read in July.

He said the bill was due to the fact that the health of children is different from that of adults because they are exposed to so many risks.

He said the bill aims to ensure that children’s health services are provided free of charge to Nigerian children.

He said the services to be provided would cover diagnosis, treatment and the like in hospitals as well as referral cases in other health service centers around the country.

However, parliamentary minority leader Ndudi Elumelu (PDP, Delta) argued that the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHDA) was already providing the same services to pregnant women and children in all centers. community health. He added that funds are budgeted each year for the purpose of providing healthcare to pregnant women and children, which he says is built into the healthcare law.

Likewise, Deputy Minority Leader Toby Okechukwu (PDP, Enugu) said that the spirit in which the bill was introduced was good but what the minority leader said was important.

He said the intention of the bill was free health care for the country’s children.
He added, however, that there is a need for a more in-depth explanation of the bill in relation to the operations of the primary health care management agency.

Solomon Maren (PDP, Plateau), who also endorsed the comments made by the deputy head of minorities, said that as MPs they have a duty to enact laws that will be enforceable.
He therefore requested that the bill be withdrawn for further study and input before passing the bill.

However, the president, Femi Gbajabiamila, said that although concerns have been raised about the funding, the House should not wait to pass the bill.
He argued that passing the law will be the precursor to funding, so the law should come first.
He noted that the funding may not be in the current budget but can be done in the next budget after the law is passed.

The President put the bill to a voice vote and was passed and referred to the House Committee on Health Services.