Senator representing Oyo South Senatorial District in the National Assembly, Sharafadeen Alli, has called for a stronger legal framework to drive critical improvements in healthcare delivery across Nigeria.
Delivering a lecture titled “The Intersection of Law and Health in Nigeria: Shaping Healthcare Policies, Regulating Medical Practices, and Ensuring Equitable Access to Quality Healthcare Services”, organised by the University College Hospital (UCH) Students Association, the lawmaker emphasised the role of strengthened laws in building an equitable and effective healthcare system.
“Enforcing these laws effectively is crucial to maintain patient safety and public trust in the healthcare system,” he said.
Alli identified key areas where healthcare laws could bolster health system efficiency, especially in policy strengthening, medical practice regulation, and promoting equitable access to quality services.
He noted that while laws like the National Health Act (2014) exist, gaps remain in addressing modern challenges like mental health and non-communicable diseases, which require urgent attention.
To achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC), Alli called for comprehensive legal reforms, particularly expanding the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) to cover low-income earners and informal workers.
He stressed that increased government funding for the NHIS is crucial, as it would reduce out-of-pocket expenses and improve access to essential healthcare for all Nigerians.
“Healthcare regulatory bodies, including Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) as well as Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN), must receive increased funding and personnel to enforce healthcare laws more effectively,” he said.
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