The House of Representatives on Thursday passed for second reading a bill seeking to establish a National Children’s Hospital in Ideato, Imo State, to expand access to specialised paediatric healthcare and reduce child mortality in Nigeria.
The bill, sponsored by the member representing Ideato North and South Federal Constituency, Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere, scaled the second-reading hurdle after lawmakers considered its general principles during plenary.
Leading the debate on its general principles, Ugochinyere said the proposed hospital would provide specialised medical services for children, strengthen the country’s capacity to manage complex childhood illnesses and improve access to quality healthcare.
The lawmaker said the proposed legislation was in line with the constitutional responsibility of government to protect the welfare of citizens, particularly children, who remain among the most vulnerable members of society.
He cited Section 14(2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, which provides that the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government.
According to him, the provision places an obligation on government to prioritise accessible, affordable and quality healthcare for Nigerians, including children.
Ugochinyere also expressed concern over Nigeria’s child mortality burden, noting that preventable conditions such as malaria, pneumonia, diarrhoeal diseases and neonatal complications continue to threaten the survival and healthy development of children.
He argued that a dedicated national paediatric hospital would improve the diagnosis and treatment of complex childhood diseases while supporting medical research, professional training and early intervention services.
The lawmaker further referenced Section 13 of the Child Rights Act, 2003, which recognises every child’s right to the best attainable state of physical, mental and spiritual health.
He said the proposed hospital would provide an institutional framework for advancing child-centred medical care and improving health outcomes.
Drawing comparisons with specialised paediatric institutions in other countries, Ugochinyere cited Children’s National Hospital in Washington, D.C., United States, and the Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital in Cape Town, South Africa.
He said Nigeria needed to invest more deliberately in specialised healthcare facilities capable of delivering advanced treatment and life-saving interventions for children.
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The proposed hospital in Ideato is expected to serve children from Imo State, the South-East and other parts of the country, subject to its eventual capacity and service arrangements.
The bill was passed for second reading following a voice vote by the Deputy Speaker and referred to the relevant committee for further legislative consideration.
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