The President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, has assured that the National Assembly is committed to ensuring that every Nigerian has access to quality healthcare. Speaking at a public hearing organized by the Senate Committee on Health (Secondary and Tertiary) in Abuja on Wednesday, Akpabio emphasized the importance of healthcare access for all citizens.
The public hearing discussed two bills: “A Bill for an Act to Establish the Federal Orthopaedic Hospital, Toro, Bauchi State (Amendment), Bill, 2024” and “National Eye Centre Doma, Nasarawa State (Establishment) Bill, 2024.”
Represented by Sen. Osita Ngwu, Akpabio highlighted the legislative duty to provide necessary healthcare services. “We must ensure that every Nigerian has access to the care he needs, when he needs it. By supporting these bills, we are fulfilling our constitutional mandate and demonstrating our dedication to the health and welfare of our people.”
He acknowledged the significant role lawmakers play in shaping the future of healthcare in Nigeria. “The bills before us are not just pieces of legislation; they are the building blocks upon which we will build a stronger, more resilient healthcare sector that can meet the needs of our people.”
Akpabio stressed the necessity of establishing specialized institutions like orthopaedic hospitals and eye treatment centers to address the healthcare challenges faced by many Nigerians. He noted the dire state of Nigeria’s health infrastructure and the urgent need for modernization. “The introduction of legislation to develop and manage our healthcare infrastructure is a crucial step toward bridging this gap and bringing our healthcare systems into the 21st century.”
Sen. Shehu Buba (APC-Bauchi) sponsored the bill for the establishment of the Federal Orthopaedic Hospital in Toro, Bauchi State. Buba explained that the hospital would provide comprehensive orthopaedic care, addressing joint replacements, fractures, and arthritis—services currently lacking in the northeastern part of the country, especially in Bauchi State.
The establishment of the hospital, according to Buba, would bring healthcare closer to the people at a reduced cost, reduce health tourism, stimulate economic growth, foster inter-regional integration, and create job opportunities. It would also deter patients from seeking treatment from traditional bone setters in the absence of specialized orthopaedic facilities.
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