BY CHIOMA OBINNA
LAGOS— Minister of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu, declared yesterday that the content of the controversial National Health Bill, was thorough and all-encompassing.

Chukwu, who spoke in Lagos during a condolence visit to the family of the late Mrs Kate Bisi Demehin, an Assistant Director, Nutrition, Federal Ministry of Health, Abuja, a victim of the United Nations Building bomb blast in Abuja, last week, stressed that the Bill represents the interest of the people and has passed through three presidents, five ministers of health and several permanent secretaries.

Explaining why Nigeria must have a regulatory document, he said areas such as stem cell research and organ transplant according to the Bill should be regulated since the country has commenced such operations.

He said: “I have gone through the Bill myself being Minister of Health. I was part of it several years ago even when I was not a minister, it went through all the processes and has gone through four ministers and probably I am the fifth minister the Bill has passed through his tenure.

It has gone through several Presidents, probably this is the third president of Nigeria whose administration is dealing with it. It has gone through several Permanent Secretaries of the FMOH. It is not something any particular individual at a stage would say it is personal work. It started from some people and other people have made input. It went through the National Assembly and there was public hearing, many people took part in it.”

Explaining why Nigeria must have a regulatory document, he said areas such as stem cell research and organ transplant according to the Bill should be regulated since the country has commenced such operations.

The Minister further affirmed that the Bill would benefit both practitioners and the common man. “In terms of organ transplant, we have been performing kidney transplant and blood transfusion. We have started stem-cell research in Nigeria that is the way to go. But right now they are not regulated so we want it to be regulated”.

Chukwu lambasted those who were of the view that the Bill has legalised abortion saying that “there is no clause in the Bill to that effect”. He said, “I read a report that says abortion has been legalised, there is no clause in the Bill that says it has been legalised in the country, it is still the status quo, which is that, abortion has not been legalised”. The minister who was optimistic that the Bill will be signed into law by the president, enjoined Nigerians calling for the withdrawal of the Bill, to have a rethink, as their action would not benefit the entire populace. He added that even if there are contentions on any issues raised in the Bill, it is subject to amendment while being implemented.

Addressing the family of late Mrs. Kate Demehin, Chukwu described the death of those who lost their lives in the bomb blast as great loss to the ministry and the nation at large. The Minister encouraged the family of the deceased to bear the loss with fortitude, having in mind that the Late Mrs. Demehin lived a fulfilled life on earth. He described her as a role model, who died while carrying out her official duties, and said that the ideals she stood and fought for would not be in vain.

Responding, the Widower, Mr Alex Demehin who was full gratitude for the ministry’s concern, called on the Federal government to ensure that the country enjoys adequate security and remains a single entity. “The people in power should sit down and bring a solution to the problem of insecurity in the country. Let them give a listening ear to the agitations of each group and addressed them.

Speaking UNICEF Representative, Mr Stanley Chitekwe who described the late Mrs Demehin as a hard-working woman whose life and work touched many lives said the late Demehin was at UNICEF office at the fateful day to discuss issues bordering on nutrition on a behalf of FMOH.