The House of Representatives has rejected a bill seeking to establish the office of Surgeon-general for the purpose of providing professional advice on health issues.
The lawmakers who spoke against the bill sited duplication of functions and financial implication at period where by government could hardly fund the existing agencies.
Prof. Mojid Alabi from Osun state who vehemently opposed the bill said it will be unfair for the legislative arm of government to consider bills that seek to establish more agencies considering the country's present predicament.
He further said most agencies seems to be doing the same functions which result to conflict and confusion everywhere.
Nonetheless, the sponsor of the bill Abiodun Dada APC-Oyo state disagreed with reasons given by his colleagues.
Dada said the advantages of the bill out weigh the reasons the lawmakers gave on why they rejected it.
"It is unfortunate the bill could not scale through second reading based on my colleagues argument that there is no money"
Rep. Dada said they isn't any compromise when it comes to the issue of health because health has to come first.
According to him, "the bill cover all issues of health and the intentions goes along way because the surgeon-general keeps a holistic data of all health issues", Dada submitted.
He also assured the press crew who went to speak to him on the subject matter after plenary that the bill will be represented in the house because its benefits are enormous and can't be swept under the carpet.
"The bill will return back to the house and may be coined in another name because health is important to everybody", Dada said.
Some of the highlights in the bill are as follows;
(i) The surgeon-general shall be the chief adviser of the federal government of Nigeria and its agencies on all public health matters.
(ii) The surgeon-general shall articulate and develop up to date evidence-based guide-lines and protocols on the management of medical conditions and ensure dissemination to health facilities through out the country.
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