Governors, doctors, and labor rejected the Infectious Disease Bill during the public hearing on Wednesday. The bill was sponsored by the speaker of the House of Representative, Femi Gbajabiamila. The Bill was seeking to repeal the Quarantine Act of 1926, the Nigerian National Health Act (2004), the National Programme on Immunization Act (2004) and the Environmental Health Officers Act of 2002.
The Infectious Disease Bill had passed its second reading as at the 28th of April, 2020.
The Nigerian Medical Association, the Nigeria labour Congress, and the Nigerian Governor’s Forum have so far rejected the bill.
Infectious Disease Bill: Governors, Labor, Medical Practitioners Rejects Bill
According to NGF Chairman, Kayode Fayemi, the bill takes away all the authority the Governors have to take specific actions in their states in the event of a disease outbreak. According to him, the NGF classifies the bill as undemocratic and it is in conflict with the constitution. He also pointed out that way too much power was bestowed on the Director-General of the NCDC.
Speaking further on the bill, he noted that it did not take public health into consideration adding that the public has to right to participate in the formulation of policies that affect them.
Kayode Fayemi reminded the house that the right of citizens to contest an order or proceeding should be protected at all cost.
He added that the Governors were not consulted while putting the bill together.
Infectious Disease Bill: Governors, Labor, Medical Practitioners Rejects Bill
On the part of the Nigerian Medical Association, the President, pro innocent Ujah faulted the bill on grounds of compulsive and evasive medical examination.
Wabba who was there for the Organised Labour expressed his opinion on the bill. He classified the bill as the voice of dictatorship. He reinstated the organization’s commitment in uoholding public health and the safety of the citizens.
Reacting to all that has been said about the bill emanates from gross mis-information and out rightly malicious.
Infectious Disease Bill: Governors, Labor, Medical Practitioners Rejects Bill
