He astutely observed that Western nations have achieved remarkable success in elevating their Health sectors to the pinnacle of excellence, and it is imperative for Nigeria to emulate their exemplary progress.
These remarks were made during the opening of a Public Hearing conducted by the House Committee on Healthcare Services, which focused on four legislative bills in Abuja.
He pointed out that while the Federal Government allocates a substantial budget to the Health sector each year, this funding remains insufficient and lags behind investments made in other countries.
”It is no longer news that despite the committed efforts, the Health Sector has sadly over the years faced several challenges associated with outbound medical tourism, emigration of skilled healthcare workers, poor salaries and insufficient budgetary allocation.
”It is also sad to note that even though Nigeria has the highest Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in Africa the progress it has achieved in health has been rather slow and disappointing hence, more effort is needed if we are going to be at par with Western countries. Indeed more needs to be done if the life expectancy of the average Nigerian is to rise as well as a reduction in infant mortality. Recognizing the urgency of this situation, the Mr. President, Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu has prioritized healthcare as one of the pillars of his Renewed hope Agenda for Nigeria, in order to revive the country’s healthcare sector and to ensure it receives the necessary support partnerships with the private sector within and outside Nigeria are being explored and hopefully in the not too distant future we shall see vast improvement”. Mr. Abbas said.
The House Committee on Healthcare Services, along with other health-related committees within the House of Representatives and the National Assembly, is dedicated to their role in initiating and amending legislation that prioritizes the well-being of the populace, with the goal of fostering positive transformations in Nigeria's healthcare sector.
Mr. Bassey Akiba, the Acting Chairman of the House Committee on Healthcare Services, stated that the purpose of the hearing was to enhance healthcare delivery for Nigerians.
He noted that Nigeria's healthcare system has faced numerous challenges in recent years that require urgent attention.
The Chairman outlined the bills scheduled for discussion, which include: “A Bill For An Act To Amend The National Residency Training Act, 2018 (HB.725),” “A Bill For An Act To Amend The National Insurance Authority Act, 2021 (HB.803),” “A Bill To Amend The National Tobacco Control Act (HBs. 47 & 1151),” and “A Bill For An Act To Establish the Institute Of Health Service Administrators Of Nigeria (HB.935).”
The Bill To Amend The National Tobacco Control Act (HBs. 47 & 1151) generated the most debate, with stakeholders at the public hearing presenting arguments both in favor of and against its passage, emphasizing the importance of these bills for the advancement of the Nigerian health sector.