Reps seek free medicare for pregnant women

Reps seek free medicare for pregnant women

Video: IDRC/CRDI

The House of Representatives has urged the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare to mandate public healthcare institutions to provide free medical treatment for pregnant women during and after delivery.

The call was sequel to the adoption of a motion by Rep. Mohammed Shehu (PDP-Bauchi) at plenary on Wednesday.

They also urged the ministry to implement routine checks to ensure continuity, compliance by medical personnel, and sustainability of childbirth processes.

Moving the motion, Shehu said that the government established public healthcare institutions to provide medical services to humanity.

He added that drugs were supplied to the institutions and equipped with modern medical facilities and charged with the responsibility of handling healthcare-related matters.

Shehu said though healthcare services were not restricted to pregnant women, efforts to encourage free treatment for expectant mothers have not been fully realised.

He said that giving the fertility statistics in the country, there was need for free medical treatment for pregnant women to boost the country’s fertility rate.

“Nigeria is grappling with high disease rates, resulting in an annual maternal mortality rate of expectant mothers and children due to pregnancy complications and the polio virus.

“Further aware that government requires public healthcare institutions to have medical professionals, give adequate attention to patients, including pregnant women, during childbirth to address complications and find permanent solutions.

“There is a need for the government to prioritise policy actions aimed at improving healthcare delivery systems, particularly for pregnant women, to alleviate their hardships and boost their confidence,” he said.

In his ruling, the Deputy Speaker, Rep. Benjamin Kalu mandated the Committee on Healthcare Services and Healthcare Institutions to liaise with the Minister of Health and Social Welfare to ensure compliance.

The committee is to report back within four weeks for further legislative action. (NAN)

About author

You might also like

World Breastfeeding Week 2024: NSN urges more support for mothers

As the World Breastfeeding Week 2024 is marked globally, the Nutrition Society of Nigeria (NSN) is advocating concerted efforts by all stakeholders to ensure that every mother receives the support

American healthcare provides clean water for 1,500 people in Benue

American healthcare, a non-profit, United Vessels of Love Foundation (U-VOL), has built a solar-powered borehole in Ojegbe community of Obi Local Government Area (LGA) of Benue State for 1,500 people.

BREAKING NEWS 0 Comments

5m children for “emergency” vaccination in Borno, others

Nearly five million children are currently being immunized in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states against killer diseases by a team of World Health Organization, WHO, Federal Government and other stakeholders

0 Comments

No Comments Yet!

You can be first to comment this post!

Leave a Reply