Key legislations passed by 8th senate to shape Nigeria’s healthcare
In order to tackle the problems associated with the Nigerian health sector, which ranges from high mortality rate, maternal mortality, spread of malaria among others, the upper chamber of the National assembly approved the following health care bills.
1% CRF for the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund
The senate in May this year approved that one per cent of the consolidated Revenue fund be set aside for the Basic Health Care.
The fund will ensure that every primary centre will have some money coming directly to the health centre and not going to the local government before they can get from them. 50 per cent of the fund would be dedicated for disease control. This will help the country achieve some of the Sustainable Development Goals especially SDG 3 which talks about Good Health and well-being by 2030.
Hence, there will be no reason for that primary health centre not to have basic drugs and not to have salaries to pay its workers.
Although the implementation of the act was not effected in the 2018 budget submitted by President Muhammadu Buhari to the National Assembly, lawmakers however accommodated the fund through the increase in oil price benchmark from $45 to $51 per barrel.
STATUS: Awaiting presidential assent
National Council for Social Work Regulatory Bill:
The Bill establishes the National council of Social Work to regulate the practice of social work in Nigeria and facilitate the development of a profession concerned with helping reduce the incidence of abuse and neglect and supporting families to raise their children to their full potential.
The Drug Control Bill:
Following several consultations with stakeholders develop a coherent legislative framework to address the control of drugs, reducing the demand for drugs as well as interventions for people who use drugs.
The Drug Control Bill clarifies the mandate and strengthens the capacity of National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration Control (NAFDAC) and other relevant law enforcement and regulatory bodies to eradicate the illicit production, and trafficking of controlled substances. In addition it:
Establishes a central mechanism to facilitate collaboration among law enforcement, regulatory and public health authorities in line with the National Drug Control Policy.
Criminalisation of illicit distribution, diversion and dispensing of controlled narcotic drugs without prescription or license.
Temporarily banning/ restricting access to controlled narcotic drugs in the event of public health emergency.
Referral of drug users with drug abuse problems for appropriate services.
Ensure that only the controlled narcotic drugs and precursor chemicals that are needed for medical and scientific purposes based on National estimates are imported and/or produced in the country.
Restriction on distribution and dispensing of controlled narcotic drugs.
The National Child Protection and Enforcement Agency (Establishment) Bill 2018: This bill will amongst other things
Ensure that child sensitive social protection policies are implemented
Address child poverty, vulnerability and risks.
Conduct investigations with respect to offences under the Child Rights Act.
The Mental Health and Substance Abuse Bill:
The Mental Health and Substance Abuse Bill, was drafted to strengthen effective leadership by formulating developing and implementing national policies, strategies, programs and regulations relating to mental health.
It protects the rights of persons with mental and substance use disorders, provides a legal framework for the regulation of mental and substance abuse services and ensure quality, efficient mental health and substance abuse
The bill:
Criminalises victimisation of people with Mental Health and Substance Abuse Problems.
Treats people with drug abuse problems as people who need help not criminals.
Improves access to evidence-based Treatment and Rehabilitation Services for People with Drug Abuse Problems.
Increases access to effective psychosocial support and Mental Health services to prevent drug abuse.
Regulation of Mental Health Service Providers
MICHEAL ANI