The Nigerian Senate on Wednesday, passed a bill to provide for a national framework for the control of outbreaks of infectious diseases in Nigeria.
The health emergency bill’s passage followed the consideration of a report by the Committee by the Committee on Primary Healthcare and Communicable Diseases.
Chairman of the Committee, Senator Chukwuka Utazi, in his presentation, said the Bill seeks to establish an up-dated and comprehensive legislative framework providing for the norms, basis for the making of regulations, rules and guidelines and measures to be applied in the event of any outbreak of infectious and contagious diseases or public health event within or outside Nigeria.
He explained that the health emergency bill if signed into law, would ensure a timely response, control and management of public health emergencies coupled with necessary checks and balances, accountability and control.
The Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, referred the bill after passing second reading to the Committee on Health for further work.
The Committee was given four weeks to report back to the chamber in plenary.
