Senate C’ttee Chairman, Bassey, Reaffirms Healthcare Reform

Chairman of the Senate Committee on Diaspora and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), Senator Aniekan Bassey, has reaffirmed the Senate’s commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s healthcare system through far-reaching legislative reforms aimed at improving the quality, accessibility and regulation of health services across the country.

Senator Bassey made the declaration while representing the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, at the National Assembly’s public hearing on key healthcare bills, where he also formally declared the event open.

The public hearing brought together the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Iziaq Adekunle Salako, lawmakers, healthcare professionals, regulatory agencies and other critical stakeholders to deliberate on legislative measures expected to transform Nigeria’s health sector.

At the event, Senator Bassey emphasised that the 10th Senate remains focused on enacting people-oriented legislation that bridges the gap between policy formulation and the healthcare needs of ordinary Nigerians.

He noted that improving healthcare delivery is central to the National Assembly’s legislative agenda and essential to national development.

He explained that deliberations centred on two landmark bills designed to strengthen Nigeria’s healthcare architecture.

He said the first is the University Teaching Hospitals Act (Amendment) Bill, which seeks to modernise the country’s teaching hospitals by improving clinical training, upgrading medical infrastructure and enhancing service delivery in line with global best practices.

The second, the National Health Facilities Regulatory Agency Bill, proposes the establishment of a regulatory framework that will enforce high professional standards, improve oversight and guarantee patient safety across public and private healthcare facilities nationwide.

According to Senator Bassey, the proposed legislation reflects the Senate’s determination to build a healthcare system that is resilient, efficient, accountable and capable of meeting the growing needs of Nigerians.

He expressed appreciation to the President of the Senate for the confidence reposed in him to represent the leadership of the National Assembly at the important national engagement, describing Senator Akpabio’s dedication to the welfare of Nigerians as a driving force behind the ongoing legislative reforms.

Senator Bassey stressed that lawmakers have a moral and constitutional responsibility to safeguard the lives and well-being of citizens through sound legislation that strengthens public institutions and improves service delivery.

He assured Nigerians that the Senate would continue to work with the Executive, healthcare professionals and relevant stakeholders to enact laws that promote quality healthcare, protect patients and expand access to affordable medical services across the country.

He added that the ultimate objective is to build a professional, accessible and sustainable healthcare system that serves every Nigerian, irrespective of social or economic status.