The House of Representatives at the plenary on Thursday passed through second reading stage, a Bill for an Act to establish Federal University Teaching Hospital Erawhe-Owhe, Delta State.
The proposed legislation sponsored by Hon. Ajirioghene Jonathan Ukodhiko, representing Isoko North/South Federal Constituency of Delta State, seeks to amend the University Teaching Hospitals (Reconstitution of Boards, etc.) Act 1985 to make its performance more efficient, effective, and people-oriented and to create access to quality healthcare facilities and create job opportunities.
Leading the debate on the general principles of the Bill, Ukodhiko said the Bill seeks to amend Section 1 of the principal Act to introduce new clauses 1, 2 “Q” and 3 to establish the Federal University Teaching Hospital in Erawha-Owhe, Isoko North LGA in Delta State.
He noted that medically certified good health is the greatest wealth available to human beings.
He also noted that access to medical healthcare is a veritable human right according to the Universal Declaration on Human Rights, which Nigeria is a signatory to; hence, the government takes deliberate steps in establishing healthcare facilities to enable its citizens to access adequate healthcare delivery.
The lawmaker said that when the Bill is passed into law, the Teaching Hospital will be cited in Erawha-Owhe, Isoko North LGA, Delta State, to enable his constituents and Nigerians living in that region of the country to have access to quality medical treatments, healthcare services, and medical education, as all these were unavailable before now and during the COVID-19 pandemic.
He lamented that his constituency despite her enormous contribution to the nation’s GDP through crude oil exploration and production, still lacks Federal Government presence in terms of infrastructural projects directed at alleviating the sufferings of his constituents in all forms.
Ukodhiko, therefore, said that when the Bill becomes law, it will, among other issues, reduce the incidence of constant medical referrals for patients with severe medical conditions to faraway specialist hospitals thereby reducing cost and loss of lives.
The lawmaker argued that, “This Bill when passed into law shall create opportunities for the Training of Medical Doctors, Nurses and other health related professionals which shall reduce the occurrence of brain drain syndrome in the country’s medical sector and promote efficient medical professional manpower. This bill when passed into law shall greatly impact positively on the lives of Nigerians by drastically reducing medical tourism to other parts of the world, thereby bringing about economic and medical growth of our country Nigeria. Mr. Speaker, if this Teaching Hospital is established, it would be the first of its kind in Delta State, which would create an enabling environment for veritable investments in the medical healthcare delivery system in Delta State.
“Mr. Speaker, the passage of this bill into law shall reduce the frequent occurrences of transit deaths and deaths of patients arising from travel fatigue due to bad roads and related matters as they seek medical intervention outside our constituency. My constituency is highly marginalised to the extent that my people feel they are not part of this federation; consequently, the establishment of this teaching hospital will create the presence of the Federal Government within my constituency. Hon. Speaker and Honourable Colleagues, in the best interest of justice, equity, and fairness, establishing the said teaching hospital in my constituency shall afford my people and Nigerians living within the region a sense of belonging.
“Mr. Speaker, when this institution comes to life, it shall train and provide medical professionals, including but not limited to skilled and unskilled employment opportunities, for our teeming youths that are presently unemployed, thereby reducing crime rates. As the saying goes, ‘‘an idle mind is the devil’s workshop that breeds crimes and related vices. Furthermore, Mr. Speaker and Hon. Colleagues, my people are faced with different health challenges, including living with very acute diseases that are preventable through access to a quality medical healthcare delivery system, which is presently lacking, hence the need for the passage of this bill into law. Mr. Speaker, this bill also aligns with our federal government’s commitment to boost our nation’s healthcare delivery system. Hon. Speaker and Dear Colleagues, at this point, kindly permit me as I graciously invite, seek, and solicit each and every one of us to passionately direct our oneness of love and gratitude towards my constituents, the good and hospital people of Isoko North and South Federal Constituency of Delta State, in support of this bill for its second reading that shall create oneness, love, and a sense of belonging to my constituents as citizens of this great country, Nigeria.”
Thereafter, members of the House overwhelmingly voted in support of the Bill and it was approved for second reading and consequently referred to the House Committee on Health Institutions for further legislative action.
