Reps Speaker Decries Poor Funding Of Health Sector

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, has said despite the considerable amount appropriated to the health sector annually, it remained  grossly inadequate and far below what is invested in other countries.

Abbas spoke at a public hearing for four bills organised by the House Committee on Healthcare Services at the National Assembly Complex on Friday.

The bills are for the Acts to Amend the National Residency Training Act 2018 and the National Insurance Authority Act 2021; the National Tobacco Control and to Establish the Institute of Healthcare Service Administrators of Nigeria.

He said more funding was needed, if the life expectancy of the average Nigerian was to rise while reduction in infant mortality is to be guaranteed.

The speaker, who was represented by the member representing Ogbia Federal Constituency in Bayelsa State, Hon. Obordor Mitema, said it was for this reason that President Bola Tinubu prioritised healthcare as one of the pillars of his Renewed Hope Agenda for Nigeria.

He this was in order to revive the country’s healthcare sector and ensure it receives the necessary support from partnerships with the private sector within and outside Nigeria are being explored and hopefully in the not too distant future.

“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,” Abbas said.

The acting chairman of the committee, Hon Bassey Akiba, said the healthcare sector in Nigeria had faced a myriad of challenges over  the past few years, including rising cost of healthcare services, financial challenges for providers, preventable medical errors, high mortality rates in both cases, lack of insurance coverage amongst others.

“As parliamentarians, it is our responsibility to discuss critical legislation that will not only shape the future of our nation’s health but impact possibly other people.

“Public hearings are essential because it is one of the crucial avenues used to sample opinions on any matter of public relevance and importance. Like I mentioned, there are four bills.

“Three of these bills are an amendment bill, three of the bills are an amendment bill, and one is an establishment bill. I wish to assure you all that as legislators and members of the Committee on Health Care Services,” he said.

In a presentation, the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) said Bill to Amend the National Residency Training Act should be dropped for more input by relevant stakeholders.