By Paul Effiong, Abuja
House of Representatives Committee on Specialty Healthcare alongside critical stakeholders have approved the establishment of four orthopaedic hospitals and obstetric fistula centres in parts of the country.
Lawmakers, including a Non-Governmental Organisation, NGO, known as Sustainable Healthcare Foundation which specialises in healthcare services and health experts, said the establishment of the four proposed hospitals will ameliorate the challenges of the people in those states.
This is even as the committee assured Nigerians of meaningful reforms in the health sector through timely people-oriented legislative interventions.
Declaring the public hearing open yesterday at the National Assembly in Abuja, Speaker Tajudeen Abbas assured Nigerians of the House readiness to impact positively on their lives.
He disclosed that the committee was created by the 10th House to develop solid legislative foundations that strengthen medical institutions and ensure that these facilities deliver impactful healthcare where they are needed the most.
He added that the specific mandate of the committee is to ensure reforms in specialised institutions in the health sector.
Also speaking, Chairman of the committee, Alex Egbona said the bills are for the establishment of health institutions to facilitate treatment, rehabilitation, integration, research and training in orthopedic and other specialised fields
At the hearing, the Chief Executive of Sustainable Healthcare Foundation, Mrs Peters Okumaye stressed the need for the conversion of the National Orthopedic and Fistula Centre in Katsina to a National Centre for Women and Girls.
The establishment bills are A Bill for an Act to Provide for the Establishment of the National Obstetrics Fistula Centre, for the treatment, rehabilitation, reintegration, research and training, Babbar-Ruga, Katsina State and for Related Matters and A Bill for an Act to Amend the Orthopaedic Management Hospitals Board Act CAP. 010 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, to Provide for the Establishment of National Orthopaedic Hospital, Shinkafi, Zamfara State, and for Related Matters.
Others are a Bill for an Act to Amend the Orthopaedic Management Hospitals Board Act CAP. 010 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, to Provide for the Establishment of National Orthopaedic Hospital, Yauri, Kebbi State under the control of the Orthopaedic Management Hospitals Board, affiliated to the Federal University, Birnin Kebbi Teaching Hospital and for Related Matters and A Bill for an Act to Amend the Orthopaedic Management Hospitals Board Act CAP. 010 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, to Provide for the Establishment of National Orthopaedic Hospital, Wamako, Sokoto State, and for Related Matters.
