President Goodluck Jonathan has finally signed the National Health Bill into law, BusinessDay investigations gather. The Bill, which is now an Act of Parliament seeks to provide a framework for the regulation, development and management of a National Health system and set standards for rendering health service in the country.

According to Nigeria Health Watch, Reuben Abati, presidential spokesman on Twitter said that this is a fantastic end of year present to Nigeria, given that the bill was running the risk of expiry for the second time, having made its way through both Houses of Assembly twice. This development cones as stakeholders in the health sector describes the National Health Bill as an important crossroads’ in the development of the country’s health sector.

The Act will establish a basic health care fund through deduction of an additional one per cent of Nigeria’s Consolidated Revenue Account (CRA) for primary health care. This is in addition to the expected counterpart funding contribution from the states and local government areas.

Benjamin Anyene, chairman, Health Reform Foundation of Nigeria (HERFON) board of trustees, said the implementation of the Bill will save the lives of three million women and children over a five-year period.

Anyene noted that the national health bill increases funding, addresses inequities and responds better to the health needs of the population.

“With the passage of the health Bill, health services will improve. More Nigerians especially the vulnerable group will be able to access quality services and health status and satisfaction with services will also improve.” Anyene said.


http://businessdayonline.com/2014/12/president-jonathan-finally-signs-national-health-bill/#.VIgHd9LF8wJ

it not by signing and signing ..awarding contracts at the 11th hour
we are no more fools bro.....
..u have done urs for almost 6 years
feb14 we shall do our own
....enjoy the power while it last

Oh!! Datz great. Hw I wish oda extremely important and reali significant bills, like d PIB bill, will also be passed and signed.

More of this plzzz.... I for one am sickk and tired of noize bout politics dat seem to hv taken ova everi body and space currently

mrvitalis:
it not by signing and signing ..awarding contracts at the 11th hour
we are no more fools bro.....
..u have done urs for almost 6 years
feb14 we shall do our own
....enjoy the power while it last

The bill has been passed into law, do you know how significant that is?

Awesome!

mrvitalis:
it not by signing and signing ..awarding contracts at the 11th hour
we are no more fools bro.....
..u have done urs for almost 6 years
feb14 we shall do our own
....enjoy the power while it last

You are highly uninformed. A bill gives a policy a legal framework to run. However, such policy MUST be executed under the control executive control, so there is need for each bill to undergo executive scrutiny by the Attorney General of the Federation to ensure that it is consistent with other existing laws and does not contradict any law. If it does, he will advise the President who will channel his concerns to the Legislature for tinkering. This process takes time but that is exactly how democracy runs.

After when ALL legal angle has been cleared, the executive have to start putting government structures in place to drive such bills and such structures include personnel, materials and logistics. Sometimes, if the government is trying to cut cost, this delays the actual signing until things are ready because a signed bill is a LAW, binding on ALL arms of government.

Law making is a process and not an event. We should encourage our government to do things right, not just do the right things. Myopic minds see 2015 elections when an important bill like this is signed. It shows how shallow and uninformed some folks really are.

ducii:


The bill has been passed into law, do you know how significant that is?

yes i do ...just like FOI law will it be implemented
...ask Jonathan his total take home pay per month ..
..and see the reply ..

FrankC3:


You are highly uninformed. A bill gives a policy a legal framework to run. However, such policy MUST be executed under the control executive control, so there is need for each bill to undergo executive scrutiny by the Attorney General of the Federation to ensure that it is consistent with other existing laws and does not contradict any law. If it does, he will advise the President who will channel his concerns to the Legislature for tinkering. This process takes time but that is exactly how democracy runs.

After when ALL legal angle has been cleared, the executive have to start putting government structures in place to drive such bills and such structures include personnel, materials and logistics. Sometimes, if the government is trying to cut cost, this delays the actual signing until things are ready because a signed bill is a LAW, binding on ALL arms of government.

Law making is a process and not an event. We should encourage our government to do things right, not just do the right things. Myopic minds see 2015 elections when an important bill like this is signed. It shows how shallow and uninformed some folks really are.

what are u saying .....cant u just read btwn the lines and get my point

mrvitalis:

yes i do ...just like FOI law will it be implemented
...ask Jonathan his total take home pay per month ..
..and see the reply ..

What has his take home pay got to do with passing a bill? or are you insinuating that if GEJ leaves office today the next guy is going to take a pay cut.

ducii:


What has his take home pay got to do with passing a bill? or are you insinuating that if GEJ leaves office today the next guy is going to take a pay cut.

lol bro let him test the FOI bill with that