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By Gloria Ikibah

The Speaker House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, has disclosed the National Assembly was pushing through a set of bold reforms aimed at overhauling Nigeria’s healthcare system and curbing the disturbing trend of young Nigerians selling their organs out of desperation.

The Speaker stated this at a public hearing organised by the House Committee on Healthcare Services on seven health-related bills on Wednesday at the National Assembly Complex, Abuja.

Represented by the Deputy Chief Whip, Rep. Ibrahim Isiaka, Speaker Abbas said the proposed laws would address gaps in the medical system, strengthen ethical standards, and ensure uniform regulation across healthcare practices in the country.

“There is no doubt that the passage of these bills will directly impact the healthcare sector of our economy and save the lives of innocent young people who in desperation sell their organs for pittance, without the benefit of medical advice on the future implications of their actions on their health,” Abbas said.

The Speaker who commended the Chairman of the Committee, said these landmark health bills aimed at creating a more transparent, ethical, and professional medical system in line with its reform-driven Legislative Agenda.

The package of the proposed laws seeks to transform healthcare regulation across the country. Among them are measures to establish a National body overseeing organ donation and transplantation, create a regulatory commission for surrogacy, and amend the National Health Act to set up both a Quality Accreditation Commission and a Federal Tertiary Health Institutions Commission.

Also under review are bills to set up the Chartered Institute of Medical Dialysis Studies, enhance the operations of the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency, introduce a new retirement framework for health workers, and impose strict penalties for organ trafficking.

Collectively, the reforms are designed to promote higher standards, eliminate unethical practices, and ensure that Nigeria’s healthcare institutions operate with greater accountability and professional integrity.

“In sum, we are here today to formalise those unregulated or loosely governed areas of medical practice in Nigeria that continue to mitigate against our wellbeing,” he said.

Abbas also assured that the House was determined to close gaps in medical regulation, especially in sensitive areas like organ transplantation and surrogacy, which have so far operated with limited oversight.

“It is important to establish ethical frameworks for organ donation and transplantation. It is important to provide legal clarity for surrogacy arrangements, especially as it pertains to the commercial aspect of this sensitive venture”, he stated.

He also noted that the proposed laws would build capacity in dialysis services, enhance primary healthcare delivery, and address the country’s health workforce crisis, worsened by the emigration of professionals abroad.

Abbas said the new laws would help Nigeria reduce its dependence on foreign medical care and plug the estimated $2 billion spent annually on medical tourism.

“Money that could easily be saved or ploughed into the economy if we can develop a more resilient, more responsive health sector.

“By filling existing weaknesses in the sector, from lax regulations to poor standardization and eroding professionalism, these bills have the potential to reduce crime, save lives, and improve productivity while also strengthening the economy,” the Speaker said.

Abbas reiterated that the public hearing was a demonstration of the House commitment to participatory democracy and inclusive lawmaking, urging stakeholders to contribute meaningfully to the process.

“It is my expectation that you will give these discussions your best attention by deliberating freely and patriotically to enable us create the necessary framework that will promote best practices in healthcare delivery systems of our dear country.

“Collectively, these bills signal a major push for a more structured, more accountable and ethically compliant healthcare system in Nigeria.

They will effectively close the existing gaps in the administration of healthcare, and combat illegal practices that have been enabled by weak regulatory frameworks”, he added.

The Chairman House Committee on Healthcare Services, Rep. Amos Magaji, reaffirmed that the panel will be commited to transparent, inclusive, and people-centered lawmaking aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s healthcare system and ensuring equitable access to quality services.

The Chairman described the hearing as a vital democratic process through which citizens and stakeholders can actively shape legislation that affects the nation’s wellbeing.

“Public hearings such as this are not mere formalities; they are the lifeblood of democratic engagement. They allow us to listen, learn, and legislate with clarity and compassion”, he said.

Reps. Magaji who reaffirmed the committee’s determination to ensure that every citizen has access to quality, affordable, and equitable health services, added that the task work goes beyond lawmaking, it is “about building trust, fostering participation, and producing policies that reflect the realities and aspirations of Nigerians.

“This event marks a significant step toward our collective effort of strengthening the healthcare system and ensuring that every citizen has access to quality, affordable, and equitable health services,” Magaji said.

The Committee Chairman urged participants at the hearing, including health professionals, civil society groups, community leaders, and other stakeholders, to share their insights freely and challenge lawmakers to improve the proposed legislation.

“I urge all participants, health professionals, civil society representatives, community leaders, and concerned citizens, to speak freely, share your insights, and challenge us to do better.

“Your contributions today will help us craft legislations that are not only technically sound but also socially responsive”, he added.

Magaji emphasised that collaboration and open dialogue are essential to creating effective, sustainable healthcare laws that address the sector’s challenges and support Nigeria’s march toward universal health coverage.

Expressing appreciation to all participants, Magaji said the committee would continue to uphold openness and accountability in its work.

“On behalf of the committee, I thank you for your presence, your passion, and your partnership,. Together, let us build a healthcare system that reflects the dignity, resilience, and aspirations of our people and ultimately achieve the goal of universal health coverage”, ” he said.

Magaji reaffirmed that the outcome of the hearing would guide the committee in refining the bills to meet both national and global standards in healthcare governance.