The
Bill is to ensure that government makes special fund available for the
provision of qualitative health care services across the country.
The passage of the Bill was surrounded by disagreements, disputes and political stalling.
One
of such was the financing of the health care service in Nigeria.
Proponents of the Bill sought to remove 2% from the Federation’s
Consolidated Funds to finance the sector.
Another
issue which stalled the passage of the Bill in the year 2013 was the
contribution of 25% to the scheme from the States and Local Governments.
So, President Goodluck Jonathan declined to sign it into law, and it was returned to the National Assembly last year.
The
new Bill will make provision for a budget of N60 billion for primary
healthcare annually, in addition to providing free medical care for the
most vulnerable.
It
will also establish minimum guarantees of basic healthcare services for
select groups, such as children below the age of five, pregnant women,
adults above the age of 65 and people with disabilities, and help extend
primary healthcare to 60% of Nigerians living in hard-to-reach rural
communities.
The new
law will also formally recognise the establishment of village health
committees which give room for community participation and ownership of
the health centres, in addition to reforming the recruitment, training,
and professional development of health sector workers. READ MORE: http://news.naij.com/59751.html
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