Speaker of House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara has said the high rate of foreign medical trips by Nigerians shows that the health sector needs enhancement.
Dogara said this on Wednesday at a public hearing organised by the House Committee on Health at the National Assembly (NASS).
The speaker also said he was worried about the brain drain in the nation’s heath sector.
Earlier on Wednesday, Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige had said he was not troubled by the fact that doctors are leaving the country for supposed greener pastures.
Dogara, however, said: “There is a compelling need for us to overhaul our health sector in view of the continuous public outcry against our defective healthcare delivery.
“The high number of Nigerians who go on foreign medical trips and the brain drain that we witness among our professionals in the sector are indications that the sector requires a serious surgical operation.’’
He also spoke on the bills for the health sector which are before the House.
“The first bill, which deals with healthcare data management by health information practitioners, seeks to repeal an outdated Act and to enact a new one.
“This is to enhance an effective and efficient health information practice in the country.
“Without any doubt, efficient healthcare data management will help us to improve research, policy making and policy decisions in our healthcare.
“The second bill, which seeks to amend the Institute of Chartered Chemist Act, is also to ensure proper regulation of the profession by its council.
“I wish to note that a properly regulated profession will lead to greater motivation, continuous training, closer peer interaction and better performance by the practitioners,” he said.
