Healthcare reform: Senate moves to strengthen institutions
The Senate has reiterated its commitment to bolstering Nigeria’s healthcare system by advancing two crucial reform bills designed to enhance governance, accountability, and service delivery across the sector.
Senator Aniekan Bassey, representing Akwa Ibom North-East Senatorial District, stood in for Senate President Godswill Obot Akpabio at a significant public hearing on Thursday. The hearing focused on proposed amendments to the University Teaching Hospitals Act and a new bill to establish the National Health Facilities Regulatory Agency.
*Bassey, exchanging pleasantries with others.
Etim Ekpimah
The Senate has reiterated its commitment to bolstering Nigeria’s healthcare system by advancing two crucial reform bills designed to enhance governance, accountability, and service delivery across the sector.
Senator Aniekan Bassey, representing Akwa Ibom North-East Senatorial District, stood in for Senate President Godswill Obot Akpabio at a significant public hearing on Thursday. The hearing focused on proposed amendments to the University Teaching Hospitals Act and a new bill to establish the National Health Facilities Regulatory Agency.
Organised by the Senate Committee on Health (Secondary and Tertiary), the event gathered lawmakers, healthcare professionals, regulators, academics, development partners, and other stakeholders to discuss the proposed legislation.
Speaking for the Senate President, Senator Bassey affirmed the 10th Senate’s dedication to enacting laws that improve citizens’ lives, emphasising that quality healthcare is fundamental to national development. He stated, “The preservation of human life is one of the highest responsibilities of government. The true measure of our progress as a nation is reflected not only in our economic indices but also in the quality, accessibility and efficiency of our healthcare system.”
Bassey explained that the amendments to the University Teaching Hospitals Act aim to strengthen governance, improve leadership, and boost accountability within Nigeria’s tertiary healthcare institutions. He further noted that the proposed National Health Facilities Regulatory Agency would create a unified framework for quality assurance, patient safety, and compliance with best practices nationwide. These reforms, he believes, will increase public trust, attract investment, and foster an environment conducive to better healthcare delivery.
Highlighting the role of university teaching hospitals as centres for medical education, research, and specialised care, Bassey stressed the need for their management structures to adapt to current realities and global standards. “Good laws may not cure diseases, but they create the institutions that make quality healthcare possible. Through sound legislation, we can strengthen governance, promote professionalism and build a healthcare system that serves every Nigerian with dignity,” he remarked.
He urged stakeholders to contribute constructively to the legislative process, setting aside institutional and sectional interests for the greater good of all Nigerians. Senator Bassey also acknowledged the dedication of healthcare professionals and assured them of the Senate’s support for policies that strengthen the healthcare workforce.
The public hearing was convened by the Senate Committee on Health (Secondary and Tertiary), chaired by Senator Ipalibo Harry Banigo, as part of the National Assembly’s ongoing efforts to modernise Nigeria’s healthcare laws and institutions. In a separate capacity, Senator Bassey participated in a session with the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Inter-Parliamentary Affairs, Senator Ahmed Aliyu Wadada, where the committee approved its work plan for the fourth legislative year.
Discussions reportedly focused on enhancing Nigeria’s diplomatic relations and international collaboration to “advance our national interests, drive legislative excellence, and ensure that Nigeria’s voice is heard and respected on the global stage.”
