Nasarawa State has initiated a review of its public health bills to strengthen its health security framework.

The bills under review are the Nasarawa State Public Health Security Bill and the Public Health Bill.

The Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Labaran Magaji, announced this development at a four-day stakeholders’ meeting on Monday in Nasarawa.

The meeting aims to refine the bills and enhance the state’s health security framework.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the initiative is a collaborative effort between the Nasarawa State Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Health, Orixine Consulting, and Resolve to Save Lives (RTSL).

NAN also reports that the proposed bills aim to address gaps in the state’s existing legal framework, aligning it with international health regulations and national health security benchmarks.

Magaji emphasised the urgency of overhauling the bills, stating that the health and well-being of the people were paramount.

He noted that revising these laws would not only ensure compliance with national and international standards but also enhance the state’s preparedness to prevent and respond to public health emergencies.

The Commissioner for Health, Dr Gwamna Shekwonugaza, highlighted the collaborative nature of the effort, emphasising the goal of creating practical, enforceable laws that could make a real difference in people’s lives.

Shekwonugaza was represented by Mrs Naomi Oyegbenu, Department of Planning, Research and Statistics.

“Our goal is to create laws that are not only theoretical but also practical, enforceable, and capable of making a tangible difference in people’s lives.”

Mr Yenan Sebastian, Director of the Subnational Support Department at the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), commended Nasarawa State for setting a precedent in public health.

He noted that the state’s proactive approach to legal reform in health security was commendable and essential for building resilience against emerging health threats.

Emem Udoh, Senior Legal Advisor at Resolve to Save Lives (RTSL), emphasised the importance of robust and actionable legislation.

He expressed optimism about the outcomes, stating that strong legal frameworks were the backbone of effective public health systems.

Mr Audu Arome, Executive Director of Orixine Consulting, highlighted the significance of stakeholders’ engagement in legal reforms.

He noted that inclusive participation ensured comprehensive and considerate laws that catered to all facets of public health.

The meeting, which will run until November 21st, aims to refine a set of bills ready for legislative action, demonstrating Nasarawa State’s commitment to prioritising public health.

The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) has commenced the enrollment of 10,000 people in Rivers West Senatorial District under the “Bringing Healthcare Home” initiative.

Dr Kelechi Ohiri, Director-General of NHIA, made this known in a statement by Emmanuel Ononokpono, Assistant Director of Media, on Wednesday in Abuja.

The programme was sponsored by Sen. Ipalibo Banigo, the Chairperson, Senate Committee on Health.

It was aimed at expanding access to quality healthcare in the region, and was launched in Ahoada East Local Government Area of the State.

Ohiri said that health insurance was a critical tool to combat health-related poverty issues and inequality.

He said that access to affordable healthcare was essential for maintaining human dignity.

“The initiative targets reducing the high rate of out-of-pocket healthcare expenses in Nigeria, with 70 per cent of the population currently bearing healthcare costs without financial support,” he said.

Meanwhile, the sponsor of the programme, Sen. Ipalibo Banigo, affirmed her commitment to improving healthcare access for her constituents.

“At the flag-off, over 30 beneficiaries received their health insurance identity cards, marking the beginning of their coverage under the programme, which spans eight Local Government Areas in Rivers West,” she said.

She said that the initiative underscored the role of health insurance in addressing social inequalities and improving healthcare access, particularly for vulnerable communities.

A supplementary immunisation campaign for measles will begin in Edo from Oct. 5 to Oct. 13 across the 18 local government areas of the state, an official has said.

The Head of the Health Education Unit, Edo Primary Health Care Development Agency, Mrs  Irene Uabor,  announced this in Benin on Monday.

Uabor said that the campaign would focus on administering the measles vaccine to children of 9 months old to 59 months old, targeting those under five years old.

“Measles is a life-threatening disease caused by the measles virus that can spread from one infected person to another.

“Measles affects mostly children with the symptoms of fever, cough, running nose, red eyes, and small red spots in the mouth.

“It can lead to death due to complications in the form of diarrhoea and pneumonia,” she said.

She noted that in addition to the measles vaccine, children between zero and 23 months of age would receive other childhood vaccines due to them.

She also said that girls in the age bracket of nine years and 14 years would be administered the Human Papilloma Virus vaccine during the exercise.

“Health workers will be stationed at all primary health care centres and other designated locations, including crèches, schools, churches, mosques, markets, and other places where eligible children can be found”.

She said further that “vaccines are free, safe, and effective, parents and guardians are expected to take advantage of the campaign to protect their children from vaccine-preventable diseases.”