…condoles with families of UN bomb blast victims

By Chioma Obinna

Minister of Health, Prof Onyebuchi Chukwu, has thrown weight his weight behind the National Health Bill, saying its content was thorough and all encompassing.

Chukwu, who spoke in Lagos while on a condolence visit to the family of late Mrs Kate Bisi Demehin, an Assistant Director, Nutrition, Federal Ministry of Health (FMOH), Abuja, and victim of United Nations building bomb blast, stressed that the Bill represents the interest of the people .

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

“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 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 the rational 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 way to go. But right now they are not regulated so we want it to be regulated”.

Chukwu decried views that the Bill had 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”. He was optimistic that the Bill would be signed into law by President Goodluck Jonathan, enjoined Nigerians calling forits withdrawal to have a rethink. 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 deaths in the bomb blast as great loss to the ministry and the nation at large. He 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 Demehin as a hard-working woman whose life and work touched many lives said the late Demehin was at UNICEF office ot the fateful day to discuss issues bordering on nutrition on a behalf of the Ministry.