The Nasarawa State House of Assembly will hold public hearings on two proposed bills, inviting comments from stakeholders and the public to ensure inclusive lawmaking.
A statement made available to newsmen in Lafia by Hon. Larry Ven-Bawa, Chairman, House Committee on Health, revealed that the committee is reviewing two bills: an Executive bill and a private member bill.
According to the statement, the inaugural public hearing is scheduled to take place on Wednesday, October 30th, to discuss a private bill introduced by Hon. Hajarat Danyaro Ibrahim, which proposes the provision of complimentary menstrual hygiene products for female students in Nasarawa State public schools, courtesy of the state government.
However, the statement requires the state commissioners for health, education, and women’s affairs, along with the CMD of Federal University Lafia Teaching Hospital and the Hospital Management Board’s CMD, to submit 20 copies of the memorandum and appear for oral defense.
Others mentioned in the statement include the State Health Insurance Scheme, State Infections and Disease Research Center, State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, the state coordinator of Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE), and Nasarawa State Menstrual Hygiene Focal Person, as well as interested unions, groups, and individuals.
The statement also announced that a second public hearing will take place on Thursday, October 31, to consider an Executive bill establishing the Nasarawa State Private Health Institutions Management Agency, which will oversee regulation, licensing, and supervision of private health facilities, training institutions, and health services in the state.
The announcement stipulated a 10:00 a.m. start time for the public hearing and instructed the State Commissioner for Health, CMD Federal University Lafia Teaching Hospital, CMD Hospital Management Board, State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, State Health Insurance Scheme, and Provost College of Nursing Lafia to submit 10 copies of memoranda and appear for oral defense.
Among the other relevant entities are the Provost of College of Health Technology Keffi, the State Drugs and Supply Management Agency, the State Aids Control Agency, the State Infections Disease and Research Center, associations of private health establishments, and interested groups and individuals.
The statement further noted that public hearings for both bills are scheduled to take place on Wednesday and Thursday of this week at the assembly complex, commencing at 10:00 a.m. each day.
