Ukodhiko's Bill to establish teaching hospital scales 2nd reading in House of Reps ~ Truth Reporters

 

The House of Representatives on Thursday okayed the University Teaching Hospitals Act Amendment Bill for Second Reading.

The Bill titled "A Bill for an act to amend the (University Teaching Hospitals Reconstitution of Boards, etc) Act No. 10 1985 for related matters" was sponsored by the member representing Isoko North/Isoko South Federal Constituency, Delta State, Engr. Jonathan Ukodhiko.

Presenting the Bill, Ukodhiko lamented the poor health condition of constituents in the Isoko North/Isoko South Federal Constituency, noting that an amendment of the law will pave the way “for the establishment of a Federal University Teaching Hospital at Erawha-Owhe.”

Leading debate on the Bill, Ukodhiko said the bill seeks to amend the University Teaching Hospitals (Reconstitution of Boards, etc.) Act 1985 to make its performance more efficient, effective, and people-oriented and to create access to quality healthcare facilities and create job opportunities.

According to Ukodhiko, Section 1 of the Principal Act provides for the establishment of the Act, which I now seek your kind approval to amend the same to introduce new clauses 1,2 "Q" and 3 to establish the Federal University Teaching Hospital in ERAWHA-OWHE, ISOKO NORTH LGA, Delta State.

"Mr. Speaker and Honourable Colleagues, it is naturally said that medically certified good health is the greatest wealth available to human beings. Access to medical health care is a veritable human right according to the Universal Declaration on Human Rights, which Nigeria is a signatory to; hence, the government takes deliberate steps in establishing healthcare facilities to enable its citizens to access adequate health care delivery. Therefore, this bill, which I seek to amend if passed, shall:
  
"When this bill is passed into law, the Teaching Hospital will be cited in Erawha-Owhe, Isoko North LGA, Delta State, to enable my constituents and Nigerians living in that region of the country to have access to quality medical treatments, healthcare services, and medical education, as all these were unavailable before now and during the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Mr. Speaker and Honourable Colleagues, Isoko North and South Federal Constituency is the second Federal Constituency where crude oil was discovered in Nigeria and one of the highest on-shore oil producing Federal Constituencies in Nigeria.

"It is a well-populated Federal Constituency but lacking in most developmental projects that are capable of uplifting and promoting the well-being of my constituents, who are faced with excruciating and challenging difficulties of living, compounded by abject poverty and diseases leading to untimely death. Consequently, it would be a veritable developmental project for the Federal Government to cite institutions of this nature in my constituency in order to make life better and more meaningful for my constituents and residents in the region.

"This bill when passed into law shall create opportunities for the Training of Medical Doctors, Nurses and other health related professionals which shall reduce the occurrence of brain drain syndrome in the country’s medical sector and promote efficient medical professional manpower.

"This bill when passed into law shall greatly impact positively on the lives of Nigerians by drastically reducing medical tourism to other parts of the world, thereby bringing about economic and medical growth of our country Nigeria.

"It will reduce the incidence of constant medical referrals for patients with severe medical conditions to faraway specialist hospitals thereby reducing cost and loss of lives.

"Mr. Speaker, if this Teaching Hospital is established, it would be the first of its kind in Delta State, which would create an enabling environment for veritable investments in the medical healthcare delivery system in Delta State.

"Mr. Speaker, the passage of this bill into law shall reduce the frequent occurrences of transit deaths and deaths of patients arising from travel fatigue due to bad roads and related matters as they seek medical intervention outside our constituency.

"Mr. Speaker, My respected colleagues, May I humbly draw your kind attention to an issue of great significance? My Federal Constituency, Isoko North and South, despite her enormous contribution to the nation’s GDP through crude oil exploration and production, still lacks Federal Government presence in terms of infrastructural projects directed at alleviating the sufferings of my constituents in all forms.

"My constituency is highly marginalised to the extent that my people feel they are not part of this federation; consequently, the establishment of this teaching hospital will create the presence of the Federal Government within my constituency.

"Hon. Speaker and Honourable Colleagues, in the best interest of justice, equity, and fairness, establishing the said teaching hospital in my constituency shall afford my people and Nigerians living within the region a sense of belonging.

"Mr. Speaker, when this institution comes to life, it shall train and provide medical professionals, including but not limited to skilled and unskilled employment opportunities, for our teeming youths that are presently unemployed, thereby reducing crime rates. As the saying goes, ‘‘an idle mind is the devil’s workshop that breeds crimes and related vices’’.

"Furthermore, Mr. Speaker and Honourable Colleagues, my people are faced with different health challenges, including living with very acute diseases that are preventable through access to a quality medical healthcare delivery system, which is presently lacking, hence the need for the passage of this bill into law.

"Mr. Speaker, this bill also aligns with our federal government’s commitment to boost our nation’s healthcare delivery system. A teaching hospital is a hospital or medical centre that provides specialised medical treatments, medical education, and medical training for current and future purposes of health care for sick patients, including professionals and the like.

"Hon. Speaker and Dear Colleagues, at this point, kindly permit me as I graciously invite, seek, and solicit each and every one of us to passionately direct our oneness of love and gratitude towards my constituents, the good and hospital people of Isoko North and South Federal Constituency of Delta State, in support of this bill for its second reading that shall create oneness, love, and a sense of belonging to my constituents as citizens of this great country, Nigeria."