The House of Representatives Committee on Healthcare Services has called on the federal government to increase funding for healthcare regulatory agencies in Nigeria.
This appeal was made during an oversight visit to the Nurses and Midwifery Council of Nigeria(NMCN) to assess the state of healthcare services in Nigeria.
The Chairman of the House Committee on Healthcare Services, Hon. Amos Magaji, stressed the importance of adequate funding for regulatory agencies.
Magaji also called on the federal government to prioritize the development of a comprehensive healthcare policy that addresses the unique needs of Nigerians.
He added that such a policy would help to guide the development of the healthcare sector and ensure that Nigerians receive quality healthcare services.
He noted that these agencies play a critical role in ensuring that Nigerians receive quality healthcare services.
“We are calling on the government to look into this and ensure that regulatory bodies are encouraged to deliver on their mandate. If they produce quack doctors, it means our hospitals will become killing fields. We don’t want that.”
Magaji also commended the agency for making “giant steps” towards delivering on its mandate but noted that more needs to be done.
He stated that increased funding would enable regulatory agencies to effectively monitor and license healthcare professionals and facilities in Nigeria.
The chairman also stressed the need for professionalism and empathy in healthcare delivery, particularly among nurses and midwives, who make up the largest number of healthcare workers in Nigeria.
Furthermore, Magaji highlighted the importance of addressing the brain drain in Nigeria’s healthcare sector.
He noted that many healthcare professionals are leaving the country in search of better opportunities, resulting in a shortage of skilled workers in the sector.
To address this challenge, Magaji proposed increasing the number of training programs for healthcare professionals, as well as improving the working conditions and remuneration of healthcare workers in Nigeria.
On his part, the Acting Registrar of the NMCN, Alhassan Ndagi, reiterated the importance of addressing the challenges facing the healthcare sector, particularly the shortage of nurses and midwives.
He also noted that despite efforts to increase the number of training institutions and admission quotas, the system is not absorbing the newly trained professionals, leading to a brain drain in the sector.
The Acting Registrar also pointed out the need for improved working conditions and equipment for healthcare professionals.
“If you have the manpower, you don’t have the equipment. It’s not going to work,” he said. He emphasized the importance of empathy and professionalism in healthcare delivery, particularly in Nigeria where healthcare professionals are often overworked and underappreciated.
Alhassan outlined the NMCN’s efforts to improve the regulation of the nursing and midwifery profession.
He noted that the council has established offices in various states and has designed a reporting mechanism to address cases of professional misconduct.
Overall, the oversight visit highlighted the need for urgent attention to the challenges facing Nigeria’s healthcare sector. The committee’s recommendations are expected to inform policy decisions and guide the development of the sector.
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