Health professionals, under the aegis of the Foundation for African Cultural Heritage, have faulted the provisions in the newly revised 2014 National Health Bill.

Members of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists of Nigeria and the Nigerian Society of Physiotherapists who spoke at a stakeholders’ meeting organised by FACH in Lagos on Monday, said the bill, if passed into law without review, would legalise a breach in ethical practices.

They called on President Goodluck Jonathan to resist the lobbying for the passage of bill in its present state.

One of the professionals, Chairman, Global Profile Alliance, Dr. Philip Njemanze, said articles 48, 49, 51, 52, 53 and 1 were not explicit on key issues surrounding the removal of body parts/products, leaving room for dangerous interpretations  and practices in the health sector.

He said, “The articles contain issues bordering perilously on trafficking of human tissues from Nigerians. Also, the articles support the payment of donors for products or tissues donated, including blood, organs, sperms and eggs. This is a long-standing taboo because it has been proved to increase the population of unsuitable donors.”

Also, the Executive Secretary of the foundation, Ms. Uzoma Ijeoma, in her address, accused the Senate of passing a bill that was no different from the one rejected by stakeholders in 2012.

She said, “We are seeking that articles 48, 49, 51, 52, 53, and 1 be expunged from the National Health Bill 2014. To pass NHB 2014 as it is will be to leave a loophole for trafficking to occur under government permission.

“Nigeria is in need of a health bill that will reflect the reality of our lives, beliefs, morals and culture and not one which will legitimise biological colonialism. Thus, articles 51and 53 must be expunged.

“The National Health Bill 2014 should explicitly declare that the sale and/or trafficking of human ovarian eggs, embryos, embryonic tissues and cloning of human beings are banned under any conditions.”

BY BUKOLA ADEBAYO

Punch