8th January, 2023
By Muhammad Nur Tijani
An NGO, Centre for Human Rights and Civic Education (CHRICED) has called on the Kano House of Assembly to expedite the passage of the Free Maternal, Newborn and Child Healthcare Bill.
Dr Ibrahim Zikrullah, the Executive Director of the centre, made the call at a news conference on Sunday in Kano.
According to him, the sustainability of the free Maternal and Child Health Care Bill will uplift healthcare delivery to international standards.
He noted that executive order 2001, which provided for free maternal care in Kano, had significantly improved maternal and child healthcare across the state.
The executive director stressed that Kano State had been at the forefront of providing quality healthcare delivery, and would only maintain the tempo with legislative backing.
Zikrullah explained that Nigeria was ranked as the 20th on maternal mortality in the world, representing 10 per cent, while Kano occupied a special place due to its high population.
“For Kano State, the huge population is an advantage that can be used to tap resources that can turn Kano into a shining example to other states.”
He stated that the international community was assisting Kano State in lowering the rate of maternal and child deaths.
According to the executive director, more dividends of democracy would be achieved through accountability, good governance and interventions.
Zikrullah described the Kano State Ministry of Health, and the Assembly as partners in progress, due to their commitment to mapping out a legislative framework on free maternal child healthcare, which had scaled first reading.
“We are happy that the Kano State House of Assembly is doing its best to pass the law, and the executive will assent to it.
“I urge the assembly to move fast to ensure that the legislative process is concluded in good time, and pray that the governor will assent to it as soon as it is presented to him,” he said.
He said that if passed and assented to, it would be a watershed and a game changer in the health sector.
“He urged the government, the assembly, and citizens to collaborate and work together to make the bill a reality,” he said.
Zikrullahi said that the centre would not relent in its efforts to promote accountability and good governance to move the nation forward.
NAN