Tinubu Forwards 24 Health Reform Bills to Senate

 

By Zainab Bakare

 

The Senate has received 24 health sector bills from President Bola Tinubu for legislative consideration, in accordance with Section 58(2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

 

The bills were transmitted in a letter addressed to the Senate and were formally read during plenary by the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio.

 

President Tinubu explained that the proposed legislation followed a comprehensive review of existing health sector laws.

 

The review was conducted by the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice in collaboration with the Minister of Health and Social Welfare, and subsequently approved by the Federal Executive Council.

 

According to the President, the bills are aimed at streamlining governance structures across health institutions by reducing over-bloated board memberships.

 

This, he noted, is intended to improve efficiency, effectiveness, and overall service delivery within the health sector.

 

The proposed legislations cover a broad range of health institutions and regulatory bodies, including tertiary and teaching hospitals, specialist hospitals, professional councils, and regulatory agencies.

 

Among the amendment bills transmitted to the Senate are those relating to the National Hospital for Women and Children; Federal Medical Centres; National Specialty Hospitals Management Board; Orthopaedic Hospitals Management Board; National Eye Centre; National Ear Care Centre; Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria; Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria; the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC); and the National Blood Service Agency, among others.

 

The President also forwarded additional legislative proposals, including the Records Officers Registration and Digital Health Bill, 2025, and the Federal College of Complementary and Alternative Medicine Bill, 2025.

 

President Tinubu expressed confidence that the Senate would give the bills careful and judicious consideration in the interest of strengthening Nigeria’s health sector.

 

Following their first reading at plenary, the Senate President referred all 24 bills to the Senate Committee on Rules and Business for further legislative action.