Reps pass Infectious Diseases Control Bill

The House of Representatives on Tuesday passed the controversial Infectious Diseases Control Bill.

This followed the adoption of a report presented by the chairman of the House Committee on Healthcare Services, Tanko Sununu.

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The bill seeks to repeal the Quarantine Act and enact the Infectious Diseases Control Bill now renamed Public Health Emergency Bill.

Sununu said: “The committee deliberated severely and conducted a well-attended public hearing and organized a report drafting section to all members of the committee to produce the report as presented.”

He said the bill was aimed at addressing public health challenges caused by infectious diseases causing organisms, chemicals, radiations and other agents.

The bill had been opposed by many stakeholders who alleged that it had given too much power to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, the police and other organs which made it appear dictatorial.