Enugu health reform bill scales through second reading

A law to provide framework for the regulation, development and management of Enugu State Health System and set standards for rendering health services in the Enugu State and for Other Matters Connected Therewith, otherwise known as Enugu State Health Reform House Bill 2, 2017, yesterday scaled into second reading at the Enugu State House of Assembly.

The Health Reform Bill which is an executive bill was sponsored by the leader of the House, Hon. Ikechukwu Ezeuguwu, member representing Udenu Constituency.

Members who contributed to the debate on the floor of the House said that when passed into law, it would render travelling abroad for medical care impossible.

Some others maintained that a reformed health system would strengthen the health system of the state and make it attractive to the citizens of Enugu State and beyond.

According to Hon. Matthew Ugwueze, House Committee Chairman on Education, “I am very happy with the author of the Bill. If it is passed, it will go a long way in strengthening our health system.”

Chief Whip of the House, Hon. Matthias Ekweremadu in his contribution said that with the reformed health bill, activities of the traditional medical practitioners who often claim to cure all sorts of ailment, could be curtailed.

According to the member representing Udi South Constituency, Hon. Bismark Eneh, the bill was overdue because, “it will make our health system to look like those of the countries we look unto.” He pointed out that the reform would encourage public, private participation in the running of the health for optimum benefit of the entire citizenry.

Speaker of the House, Hon. Edward Ubosi, thanked his colleagues for the robust contributions on the bill and set up standing committees that would organise a public debate on the bill before its passage.

The committees that would organise the public is the House Committee on Health as well as the Committee on Ethics and Privileges. They were given one month for the assignment before they will report back to the House for further deliberation and possible passage into law.