FG counters establishment of special agency for sickle cell, others

The federal government of Nigeria, through the Ministry of Health has kicked against the suggested establishment of an agency for Sickle Cell, and other health disorders. Speaking at a public hearing organised by House of Representative Committee on Health Institutions, specifically on the Bill seeking the agency’s establishment, the Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire noted that rather than establishing such an agency, the public health department of the Ministry of Health should be strengthened to tackle all forms of public health challenges in the country.

Represented by the Director, public health of the Ministry, Dr. Adebimpe Adebiyi, the minister said it was the best option, and not an agency as suggested in the Bill

The Bill seeking to establish the agency was sponsored by Hon. Bamidele Salam, who stated at the hearing that the healthcare needs of the suffers of Sickle Cell disease cannot be taken for granted. It is titled ‘A Bill for an Act to Establish the National Agency for Sickle Cell Disease and Heritable Blood Disorder (Prevention and Treatment) for the Control, Management and Research of Sickle Cell Disease and other Heritable Diseases and for Related Matters’.

Meanwhile, the Committee has assured its readiness to pass into law the Federal Medical Centre Hong, Establishment bill pending before the House. Chairman of the panel, Dr. Paschal Obi, who gave the assurance, said that it is better to give the proposed health facility to the federal government to manage.