Ehanire Against University Teaching Hospitals Amendment Bill

Dr. Osagie Ehanire, the Minister of Health, has expressed his reservations regarding the University Teaching Hospitals (UTHs) Amendment Bill, which is focused on restructuring the composition of the Governing Board of the institutions.

On Wednesday, Dr. Ehanire stated this during the public hearing of a bill for the amendment of the UTHs Act by the House Committee on Health Institutions in Abuja.

According to the minister, the passage of the bill into law would lead to a huge disruption in the health sector, adding that it would worsen the brain drain syndrome that is currently being experienced in the country and lower the standard of healthcare services in Nigeria.

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“Rather than this bill, expertise should be placed on addressing the brain drain and improving hospital infrastructure.’’

The minister, who was represented by Adebimpe Adebiyi, the Director of Hospital Services, stated that the UTH was a well-organised system under the Ministry of Health with a mandate on manpower training.

Dr. Ehanire maintained that the UTHs were primarily designed with the aim of training medical students, adding that the Chief Medical Director of the hospital was not only an administrator but they also have the responsibility to ensure that standards were maintained.