Female Doctors Laud National Assembly Over New National Health Law

The Medical Women’s Association of Nigeria (MWAN), have applauded the Federal Government and the National Assembly over passage of the new National Health Law.

The National President of the association, Dr Valerie Obot, made the commendation, on Wednesday in Abuja, during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN). It would be recalled that President Goodluck Jonathan gave his assent to the National Health Bill in December 2014.

Obot said that implementing the National Health Act was crucial toward improving the health status of Nigerians.

She added that “we are very happy with the National Health Bill that has been passed into law and the effect is that there will be better healthcare for Nigerians.

“Holistically, the national health bill that has been assented to by Mr President is a very good thing for our country because it will tackle pressing issues affecting health in Nigeria.’’

Obot further advocated the passage of the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) (VAPP) Bill into law. She said the VAPP bill, if passed into law, would address several forms of violence against persons.

She expressed worry that violence such as rape, incest, acid bath and battery were on the increase in the country.

She noted that “we are very passionate about the VAPP bill because we see violence every day.

“Girls are raped, beaten and sometimes to death and boys are also beaten by women; violence resulting from conflicts and all these things bring about medical complications.

“If a child is raped, the child may end up with teenage pregnancy or sexually-transmitted diseases and all these pose challenges to us.”

The MWAN boss said the association recorded many cases of teenage pregnancies resulting from rape and incest.

She added that “We have seen cases where the female genital has been totally severed as a result of rape.”