The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Health, Ibrahim Oloriegbe, expressed optimism that President Muhammadu Buhari would sign the Public Health Emergency Bill before he leaves office on May 29.
The bill would replace the Quarantine Act, which is 96 years old, and provide a framework for managing public health emergencies of national and international concern.
Oloriegbe said the bill would be harmonized with the Control of Infectious Diseases Bill presented by the House of Representatives and that the ninth assembly would push to ensure that the bill is signed into law.
The Managing Director of Nigeria Health Watch, Vivianne Ihekweazu, emphasized that the bills have significant implications for public health in Nigeria and must be thoroughly examined and discussed by key stakeholders in the health sector.
The Chairman of the House Committee on Health Services, Tanko Sununu, also stressed that public health law and policy are vital tools for shielding Nigerians from health threats and promoting healthy populations.
By passing and implementing the bills, the government would be demonstrating its commitment to protecting the health and well-being of Nigerians and ensuring that the country is better equipped to respond to any future public health emergencies.
