By Bomba Dauda
The Nigerian Senate has passed a bill sponsored by Senator Sunday Marshall Katung for the establishment of a Federal Teaching Hospital in Manchok, Kaduna State, bringing the proposed healthcare institution closer to becoming a reality.
The bill was passed on Wednesday following the consideration of a report by the Senate Committee on Health (Secondary and Tertiary), presented by Senator Abdul Ningi (ADC, Bauchi Central) on behalf of the committee’s chairman, Senator Banigo Ipalibo Harry (APC, Rivers West).
The proposed hospital is intended to serve as a teaching hospital for the Federal University of Applied Sciences, Kachia, and strengthen medical education and healthcare delivery in Kaduna State and beyond.
Presenting the committee’s report, Ningi said the committee had examined the provisions of the bill, consulted legal drafting experts and scrutinised the proposal clause by clause.
He explained that the proposed teaching hospital would help address the shortage of medical personnel and strengthen healthcare delivery across the country.
According to him, the bill seeks to amend the First Schedule of the principal Act to include the Federal University of Applied Sciences Teaching Hospital, Kachia.
The committee consequently recommended that the Senate consider and pass the bill.The Senate Minority Leader, Senator Abba Moro (PDP, Benue South), seconded the motion for consideration of the committee’s report and supported the recommendation for the establishment of the institution.
The Senate subsequently dissolved into the Committee of the Whole, where lawmakers considered the bill clause by clause and approved the relevant provisions as recommended by the committee.
Following the passage, Senate President Godswill Akpabio commended the Senate Committee on Health (Secondary and Tertiary) for its contributions to the successful consideration of the bill.
The bill will now be transmitted to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for assent.
Reacting to the development, Katung expressed appreciation to the Senate President, the leadership and members of the Senate for their support, describing the passage as a significant step towards actualising the proposed federal teaching hospital.
He said the collective resolve of his colleagues had brought the dream of establishing a Federal Teaching Hospital in Manchok closer to reality for the people of Southern Kaduna and Nigerians at large.
The proposed institution is expected to contribute to medical training, healthcare services and the availability of specialised medical care in the region.
