Senate President Godswill Akpabio has called for urgent reforms in Nigeria’s healthcare system, emphasizing that quality medical care should be a fundamental right for all citizens, not a privilege.
Speaking at a Public Hearing of the Senate Committee on Health (Secondary & Tertiary) on Thursday, Akpabio, represented by Deputy Senate Leader Oyetola Ashiru, reaffirmed the Senate’s dedication to ensuring accessible and efficient healthcare services nationwide.
He expressed concern over the current state of the country’s healthcare system, describing it as a “failure we must refuse to accept.”
He stressed that every preventable death signifies not just the loss of life but also the loss of dreams and potential contributions to the nation’s progress.
“Each time a Nigerian dies from a treatable illness, we do not just lose a life, we lose a dream, a future, and a piece of our nation’s greatness,” Akpabio stated.
He vowed that the Senate would work to prevent further deaths caused by inadequate medical facilities, lack of hope, or insufficient expertise.
Akpabio also addressed the ongoing exodus of Nigerian medical professionals seeking better opportunities abroad, as well as the increasing number of citizens traveling overseas for medical treatment.
He described the situation as unacceptable and called for a healthcare system that retains top talent and provides quality treatment locally.
“It is disheartening to see our people, suffering from conditions that should be treated at home, forced to seek medical care abroad. This is not the future we envision for our children, nor the Nigeria we pledged to serve,” he said.
The public hearing reviewed several key healthcare bills aimed at strengthening secondary and tertiary healthcare institutions. These include:
– The establishment of National Eye Centres in Adamawa and Kogi States to combat rising cases of blindness and improve specialized eye care.
– The creation of a Federal Orthopaedic Hospital to provide advanced treatment for musculoskeletal disorders and trauma cases.
– Amendments to the Federal Medical Centers Act to enhance service delivery and upgrade federal medical facilities across the country.
Akpabio assured Nigerians that the 10th Senate remains fully committed to their well-being. He pledged that the Federal Government would prioritize healthcare, treating it as an essential right rather than a luxury.
