By Gloria Ikibah
The House of Representatives has passed for second reading two health-related bills sponsored by the Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, seeking to establish a Federal College of Nursing and Midwifery in Nkpa and a Federal Medical Centre in Bende, both in Abia State.
The proposed legislation, which scaled second reading during Wednesday’s plenary, is aimed at expanding access to quality healthcare, strengthening medical education and addressing Nigeria’s growing shortage of health professionals. 
The first bill, titled “A Bill for an Act to Establish the Federal College of Nursing and Midwifery, Nkpa, Bende, Abia State to Provide Training and Research in General Nursing, Midwifery and Other Specialties of Nursing, and for Related Matters,” seeks to create a specialised institution for the training of nurses, midwives and other healthcare professionals.
The bill is co-sponsored by Rep. Abussamad Dasuki, Rep. Kelechi Nwogu, Rep. Akiolu Moshood Kayode and Rep. Chris Nkwonta.
The second bill, titled “A Bill for an Act to Amend the Federal Medical Centres Act; to Establish Federal Medical Center, Bende, Abia State; and for Other Related Matters,” seeks to amend the Federal Medical Centres Act to establish a Federal Medical Centre in Bende.
It is co-sponsored by Rep. Chris Nkwonta, Rep. Nasiru Shehu, Rep. Joshua Gana and Rep. Tolani Shagaya.
Leading the debate on the nursing college bill, Kalu said Nigeria urgently needs to expand the training of healthcare professionals to meet rising local and international demand, particularly as the country continues to lose skilled personnel through migration.
He said: “Government cannot completely halt the emigration of trained medical and health personnel. It would be more appropriate to tap into the huge export market of trained medical and health personnel, by investing more into the education and training of medical personnel in large numbers to meet both domestic and international demands.”
The Deputy Speaker noted that education remains the foundation for national development and individual prosperity, stressing that investment in specialised medical institutions is essential to strengthening Nigeria’s healthcare system.
According to him, education is vital: “for a happy and stable life, for better income and livelihood and for social equality.”
Kalu argued that dedicated institutions for nursing and other health sciences would help produce the skilled workforce required to improve healthcare delivery across the country.
He warned that Nigeria’s health indicators could continue to deteriorate if urgent steps are not taken to address the growing shortage of medical personnel caused by the migration of professionals abroad.
Speaking on the proposed Federal Medical Centre, the Deputy Speaker said the facility will improve access to specialised healthcare services for residents of Abia State and neighbouring communities.
“Access to quality healthcare services is crucial for the well-being of our citizens. By establishing additional Federal Medical Centers, we can decentralize access to quality healthcare services obtainable at the Federal Medical Centres”, he said.
Kalu added that establishing the hospital will reduce the burden on existing federal health facilities, cut travel time and costs for patients seeking specialist treatment, and improve healthcare outcomes.
The bills have now been referred to the relevant House Committees for further legislative scrutiny.
The proposed legislations form part of ongoing efforts by the National Assembly to strengthen Nigeria’s health sector through expanded medical education and improved access to federal healthcare infrastructure. If eventually passed and signed into law, the two institutions are expected to enhance healthcare delivery, create employment opportunities and boost the training of healthcare professionals in Abia State and the South-East region.
