By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
Federal lawmakers are sketching amendments to the National Health Care Act 2014 to expand access for everyone, including gunshot victims whose care requires funds.
House of Representatives Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila said provision will be made for health care service providers to claim funds used to treat gunshot victims during emergencies so as to end ‘no payment, no service’ which hospitals tell victims.
He spoke in Abuja at the opening of the 44th/45th annual general and scientific meeting of the West African College of Physicians (WACP) Nigerian chapter, per reporting by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), quoted by PUNCH.
Members of WACP, a professional body, include doctors, physicians, and nurses.
The theme of its meeting this year is “Nigeria’s Health Indices; Challenges and Prospects in a Contemporary World”.
Gbajabiamila, represented by Health Committee Chairman Tanko Sununu, noted that Nigeria’s health indices are poor and the National Assembly (NASS) will play its role to help address bad health care delivery, one of which is accessibility.
“In the next days to come,” he promised, “we will consider the amendment of the National Health Act which provides the basic framework upon which health care in the country is developed.
“The House of Representatives is waiting for concurrence from the executive arm of government on the issue of emergency treatment for gunshot victims. We have tried to address the issue of gunshot injuries in the amended Health Act.
“In the previous Act, there was a gap in how this type of emergency should be addressed when presented at the hospital. The source of payment and services rendered to gunshot victims has become a worrisome issue.
“In the amended Health Act, we tried to proffer solutions where practitioners can claim the bills for services rendered to a gunshot victim. This will allow victims to access emergency healthcare promptly.”
National crises hamper health care delivery
Gbajabiamila said Nigeria faces three major crises of coronavirus pandemic, insecurity, and dwindling resources, all of which negatively impact health care.
He added: “NASS is working toward addressing the challenges by providing effective legislation, oversight, and representation.
“When COVID-19 came to Nigeria we only had four laboratories to diagnose the virus but due to active budgetary allocation, we now have more than 130 laboratories nationwide that can be used to diagnose the virus.
“We are also trying to address issues affecting the health sector by making healthcare through the health insurance scheme mandatory in the country.
“The National Assembly passed the bill already and we are hoping that the executive arm assents to the bill so that every Nigerian will have basic minimum package that he or she can use to sustain health.
“The Basic Healthcare Provision Fund will not only come with a minimum package, but will also improve the health sector’s readiness to address emergencies.
“We are also considering the Infectious Diseases Control Bill which tries to provide for emergency preparedness in the country.”
Gbajabiamila commended the WACP and gave an assurance that recommendations made at the meeting would influence legislation by the NASS.