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NMA calls for withdrawal of controversial Infectious Diseases Bill

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To retaliate maltreatment of citizens, Nigerian Reps begin probe of legality of Chinese, their business

The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has demanded the withdrawal of the controversial Control of Infectious Disease Bill at the House of Representatives.

The bill, sponsored by the Speaker of the House of Reps, Femi Gbajabiamila had on the day it was introduced at the House scaled through first and second reading. It was learnt that it would have also scaled third reading but for the intervention of some of the lawmakers.

Different stories trailed the bill including an allegation that the lawmakers collected $10 million bribe to ensure the bill was passed.

The Reps has since denied collecting any bribe to pass the bill. They have also succumbed to the demand by Nigerians that the bill must be subjected to public debate.

However, in a statement on Saturday, NMA President, Dr Francis Faduyile and the association’s General Secretary, Dr Olumuyiwa Odusote, argued that it was necessary that the bill be withdrawn and redrafted to take care of doubts associated with it.

Though they commended the leadership of the House and its health-related committees for coming up with the bill, the medical practitioners, nonetheless, insisted that the bill needed to go through broader consultation with stakeholders to ensure the country gets a law that would be implementable and not be in conflict with its constitution.

“NMA is not embarrassed by the public outcry against specific provisions of the bill, as such is one of the hallmarks of democracy and welcomes the resolve of the House to subject the bill to the public hearing.

“We further urge the withdrawal of the bill entirely and redrafting to remove any existing and future doubts in the people,” the statement read.

In the statement, the doctors regretted that there was still inadequate Personal Protective Equipments (PPEs) for doctors and other medical workers.

READ ALSO: Journalist tests positive for COVID-19 in Bauchi

They, then, urged their members and other healthcare workers in the country not to attend to suspected or confirmed cases of COVD-19, if they do not wear the appropriate PPE in the interest of the personnel and their families, and the wider society.

“The Presidential Task Force, PTF, must direct the Federal Ministry of Health and Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, NCDC, and other employers of doctors and health workers, to make arrangements for the provision of an adequate supply of PPEs at the point and time of need in the campaign against COVID-19,” the statement added.

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