Key moments, takeaways from 2021 legislative summit on health
This year, the approach to ensure that health security is prioritised and the pursuit of UHC is unhindered, formed the focus of the gathering. 5 min read
The 2021 annual Legislative Summit on Health may have come and gone but the three-day high-level meeting made significant contributions towards addressing innovative policies and funding alternatives for Nigeria’s quest for Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
Held at the Transcorp Hilton in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital, this year’s summit witnessed unarguably the biggest gathering of law and policy makers, health advocates and government officials.
About the Summit
The bill seeks to repeal the Quarantine Act 2004 and enact the Public Health Emergency Act 2021.
It aims at providing for an effective and efficient legal and administrative machinery to address the challenges posed by any sudden outbreak of infectious diseases endangering public health in Nigeria.
The minister said some of its provisions were already contained in other enactments of the National Assembly such as the NCDC Act of 2018.
“To be specific, sections 1 and 3 of the bill portend potential conflict with existing Act of the NCDC as far as task force for formulation and implementation of emergency measures are concerned,” he said.
FG vaccine fund runs into crisis, AstraZeneca scarcity hits India punchng.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from punchng.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
On Tuesday, the National Assembly will resume from its Christmas vacation to attend to pressing national issues, including the outstanding bills, writes Udora Orizu
The two chambers of the National Assembly, which have been on Christmas break since December 22 2020, will resume plenary on Tuesday, February 9 for the commencement of the 2021 legislative calendar.
The lawmakers, who were initially billed to resume plenary on Tuesday, January 26th postponed their resumption by two weeks to enable federal lawmakers belonging to the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) participate in the revalidation of their membership of the party with effect from January 25, 2021.
Upon resumption, the Ninth Assembly members are expected to continue their legislative duties and tend to crucial bills, which they have promised to prioritise in their legislative agenda.
Share
The joint Senate and House of Representatives Committees on Health on Monday flagged off an investigation into the controversies trailing the purpose of the total sum of N10 billion released recently by Federal Government to Ministry of Health for local production of COVID-19 vaccines in the country.
Senate Committee on Primary Healthcare and Communicable Diseases, Senator Chukwuka Utazi, who expressed the concern in Abuja, during an emergency meeting on the production of vaccines in the country, alleged that the Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire misinformed Nigerians on the purpose of the N10 billion released which was for COVID-19 vaccine.