A bill for a law to regulate the minimum standard of health care facilities in Adamawa state has reached a final stage at the state House of Assembly, Yola.
This followed the adoption of the report of the House Standing Committee on Health and Human Services as presented by its Chairman, Hon. Hamidu Sajo Lekki( Yola North).
With the adoption of the report of Hon. Lekki's committee, the bill is now on the final stage of becoming a law that will regulate the minimum standard of health care facilities required in both public and private health institutions.
The adoption of the report followed the consideration of the report by state Legislators as presented by the committee at Wednesday's resumed plenary session presided by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Aminu Iya Abbas.
According to the report, if the bill is finally passed and assented to by Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri will ensure that all health facilities meet the requirement of International Health Standard in terms of equipment, structures, manpower as well as services.
The committee however recommended for the establishment of Quality Assurance Department in the Ministry of Health with a mandate to supervise and enforce the provisions of the law towards ensuring the maintenance of standard in all health institutions around the state.
At the moment, according to the Honourable Committee there is no any provision of law or rule that guides the existing unit in the ministry of health towards ensuring compliance with the minimum standard of health care facilities required.
The report stressed the need for the upgrading of the unit to a directorate with enabling powers to enforce the compliance with the standard practice required in the health care sector so as to meet the health needs of the citizens.
The Quality Assurance Department according to the Honourable Committee, shall undertake assessment of health facilities at least twice every year, saying that where a health care facilities is marked unfit and the operator failed to remedy the problem within 3 months, his license shall be withdrawn.
Anyone found to be operating health care facility without a license or after his license is withdrawn, shall be liable to a term of two years imprisonment or a fine of #1million.
It lamented that lack of clear cut provisions of law on a minimum standard facilities required for the establishment and maintenance of healthcare centre has seriously affected the provision of quality health care delivery service in the state.
The committee assured the honourable house that if the bill is finally enacted will contribute immediately in the maintenance of standard practice, and urged the house to passed the bill.
After the consideration and adoption of the report, the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Aminu Iya Abbas who presided over the sitting directed the Chairman Committee on Rules and Business of the house to slate the bill for third reading.
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