Members of the Foundation for
African Cultural Heritage have said the provisions in the newly
revised 2014 National Health Bill are against the ethics of the health profession.
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 the foundation in Lagos aid the bill, if passed into law without review, would legalise a
breach in ethical practices.
They advised Nigerian President, Goodluck Jonathan to resist the ongoing lobbying for the passage of bill in its present state.
Chairman of 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; these he said could allow 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.”
Executive Secretary of the foundation,
Ms. Uzoma Ijeoma, accused the Senate of passing a bill
that was not 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.”
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