Njemanze Demands Constructive Dialogue On Health Sector Reforms

BY CHIKA OKEKE

Dr Philip Njemanze

As Nigeria marks 27 years of democratic journey, the Chairman International Institutes of Advanced Research and Training at Chidicon Medical Center Owerri, Imo State, Prof Philip Njemanze has demanded constructive dialogue on reforms needed to strengthen healthcare regulation and safeguard human dignity.

He specifically called on the citizen, lawmakers, healthcare professionals, religious leaders, and civil society organisations to engage in the reforms, adding that democracy day should be more than a celebration of political freedom but a call to civic responsibility.

“If democracy is truly government of the people, by the people, and for the people, then every Nigerian has a duty to participate in shaping laws that protect life, uphold justice, and secure the future of the nation.

“Nevertheless, democracy remains worth defending because its ultimate purpose is the protection of human freedom, dignity, and the common good,” he added.

In a chat with News Rider on Thursday, Njemanze harped on the need for lawmakers to amend the controversial National Health Act 2014, citing the lacunas in Sections 48, 51, and 53.

Njemanze who is also Head of the Global Prolife Alliance (GPA) hinted that Section 51 permits transplantation procedures under circumstances that do not explicitly require written informed consent from donors.

GPA is a coalition of religious, prolife, and civil society advocates that coordinate actions to oppose anti-life policies.

He added: “Section 48(1)(b) has also come under scrutiny because it permits waiver of consent in emergency situations, while critics argue that the term emergency is insufficiently defined and susceptible to broad interpretation.

“Section 53 allows reimbursement of reasonable costs associated with tissue and blood donation. Opponents maintain that the phrase is vague and could create opportunities for the commercialisation of human organs despite the Act’s prohibition on organ sales.

“Further concerns involve Section 20 (emergency medical treatment), Section 58 (post-mortem examinations), Section 13 (Certificate of Standards requirements for health facilities), and Sections 43 and 45 (health workforce recruitment and dispute management).”

To this end, he maintained that Sections 13, 20, 43, 45, 48, 51, 53, and 58 needed drastic review in order to end commercialisation of human organs, strengthen consent protections and protect national interests.

Njemanze informed that the proposed Gender and Equal Opportunities Bill domesticate provisions of international instruments such as CEDAW and the Maputo Protocol without full constitutional domestication by the National Assembly.

He noted that Sections 2(a-c), 5, 7(b), 8, 15, 16, and 28, contained broad definitions of discrimination and equality that may affect traditional leadership structures, religious institutions and customary offices.

“Particular concern surrounds Section 15(b), which grants individuals the right to choose a spouse. Critics argue that the section does not expressly define marriage as a union between a man and a woman and therefore could invite alternative interpretations.

“Sections 8(g), 10, and 15(e), dealing with reproductive health, reproductive choices, and child spacing, are also contested. Opponents argue that these provisions could be interpreted as recognizing abortion, contraception, assisted reproduction, and related practices.

“Meanwhile, Sections 16, 18, and 28 have drawn criticism for their expansive definitions of discrimination, abuse, and violence. Critics fear these provisions could potentially affect religious preaching, parental authority, and traditional moral instruction,” he said.

The Academician stated that the protection of bodily integrity, informed consent, and the sanctity of human life must remain central principles of healthcare legislation.