Two health-related bills sponsored by the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, to establish a Federal College of Nursing and Midwifery and a Federal Medical Centre Nkpa in Bende, Abia State, have passed second reading in the House.
The bills scaled through during the plenary on Wednesday.
Titled “A Bill for an Act to Establish the Federal College of Nursing and Midwifery, Nkpa, Bende, Abia State to Provide Training and Research in General Nursing, Midwifery and Other Specialties of Nursing, and for Related Matters”, the first bill seeks to provide for the establishment of the Federal College of Nursing and Midwifery, Nkpa in Bende Local Government Area of the State.
It is co-sponsored by Hon. Abussamad Dasuki, Hon. Kelechi Nwogu, Hon. Akiolu Moshood Kayode, and Hon. Chris Nkwonta.
Similarly, the second bill also seeks to amend the Federal Medical Centres Act to establish a Federal Medical Centre in Bende, Abia State.
Co-sponsored by Hon. Chris Nkwonta, Hon. Nasiru Shehu, Hon. Joshua Gana, and Hon. Tolani Shagaya, the bill is titled “A Bill for an Act to Amend the Federal Medical Centres Act; to Establish Federal Medical Center, Bende, Abia State; and for Other Related Matters”.
In his debate on the general principle of the College of Nursing and Midwifery bill, Kalu said the establishment of the institution has become necessary due to the increasing demand for nurses, midwives and other health professionals in Nigeria.
He noted that the country is losing trained medical personnel to other countries through migration, saying it compounds the existing shortage.
He said: “Government cannot completely halt the emigration of trained medical and health personnel. It would be more appropriate to tap into the huge export market of trained medical and health personnel, by investing more into the education and training of medical personnel in large numbers to meet both domestic and international demands”.
Kalu stressed the broader importance of education, saying it is vital “for a happy and stable life, for better income and livelihood and for social equality.”
He argued that specialized colleges in medical and health sciences are critical for the training and development of essential health manpower needed in the country.
The Deputy Speaker added that health indicators may continue to decline without aggressive intervention, as the exodus of professionals has placed heavy strain on those remaining in the country.
On the Federal Medical Centre bill, Kalu said the establishment would help decentralize access to quality healthcare services, reduce travel costs for patients, and protect the health of citizens.
“Access to quality healthcare services is crucial for the well-being of our citizens. By establishing additional Federal Medical Centers, we can decentralize access to quality healthcare services obtainable at the Federal Medical Centres,” he said.
Both bills were eventually referred to the relevant House Committees for further legislative action after securing the endorsement of the members of the House.
