From Fred Ezeh, Abuja
Health Sector Reform Coalition (HSRC) has advocated an expedited actions on critical health security legislations that would guarantee improved financing for the health sector.
The coalition said the health security has, increasingly, become a critical global and national priority, due to the rising frequency of infectious disease outbreaks, pandemics, and other health emergencies.
It further made reference to public health events such as the Ebola outbreak in West Africa, COVID-19 pandemic, other public health challenges like Mpox, Lassa Fever, Cholera outbreak in Nigeria and the Marburg virus outbreak in Rwanda, which underscored the importance of a robust health security framework capable of effectively preventing, detecting, and responding to public health threats.
Members of the coalition, at a civil society-led policy dialogue on Nigeria’s health security reforms on the theme, “protecting citizen’s health: Imperatives of a successful legal reforms and accountable system for health security financing” held in Abuja, highlighted the importance of a secured and strong legislative-backup healthcare system.
Ademuyiwa Ademilola, Director of Programming, Legislative Initiative for Sustainable Development (LISDEL), in his submissions, explained that the dialogue was designed a platform for the advancement of policy reforms that align with Nigeria’s commitments under international health regulations to enhance epidemic preparedness and response.
He said that while notable progress has been made in establishing health security infrastructures, such as the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) and the National Action Plan for Health Security (NAPHS), gaps in institutional coordination and financing remain, hence the legislative measures and accountability frameworks are essential to bridge the identified gaps, and ensure Nigeria’s preparedness to handle public health threats.
He noted that the coordination and financing challenges can be addressed through legislative and technical interventions such as Public Health Emergency Bill that will codify Nigeria’s epidemic preparedness and response into law, improving upon the outdated 1926 Quarantine Act.
“The legislation will ensure clear coordination among public institutions and citizens during health emergencies, establish dedicated emergency budget lines, and foster institutional collaboration for effective response.
“There’s also the NCDC (Amendment) Bill that will, expectedly, strengthen the NCDC and aligns it with the National Health Act’s provisions on the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund (BHCPF). It will streamline collaboration with Port Health Services for integrated disease surveillance and response, among several other legislative reform instruments that might include the Animal Control amendment bill and Quarantine Act Repeal and Re-enactment bill.”
Chairperson, HRSC, Muhammed Lecky, encouraged stakeholders to adopt the health security accountability framework to enhance civil society advocacy and accountability, thereby strengthening health security in Nigeria.
Lecky promised that HSRC will follow up with relevant stakeholders to ensure the institutional adoption of the framework, advocating that the Port Health Unit be empowered to have the capacity to enforce regulation at all points of entry, with necessary independence and adequate funding.
The Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) represented by Dr. Aminu Magashi, highlighted the importance of deep involvement of medical health workers in the plans, because they are the frontline workers who are come face to face with the challenges.
Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, who was represented by Dr. Nneka Orji, said the government is deeply committed to any cause that will guarantee public health security.
She said: “We recognize the need for legal reforms in health care. Legal reforms are not just an option, they are essential for using a resilient and responsive health care system.
“We also recognize the need for health law that will reflect current realities. From managing infectious diseases to addressing mental health, non-communicable diseases, and other health and equity.
“Without a strong legal framework, we lack the tools to protect our communities effectively, especially during health crisis, which leaves our communities vulnerable. We recognized that a brave, well-structured legal framework must provide clarity on the role and responsibilities of health care institutions and providers, accountability framework and pathways, to ensure a responsible use of resources.”