By Chinwe Onwosi
The Ebonyi State House of Assembly has started public hearing on maternal and prenatal surveillance response bill.
The Chairman House Committee on Security, Public petitions, Justice and Judiciary, Friday Nwufuo, said the bill became necessary following the rate of maternal deaths experienced in the State.
Nwufuo made it known that the bill if passed into law would be a strong instrument to investigate maternal deaths and to sanction the offender appropriately.
“It will enhance safe delivery as well as adequate perinatal care in the State,” he stated.
Nwufuo noted that the hearing was aimed at providing opportunity for health experts, civil society organisations and other key stakeholders to make inputs in the bill.
The Sponsor of the bill, Mr Oliver Osi, said he was moved to sponsor the bill based on the level of maternal and prenatal deaths in the state.
“This bill, if passed into law would help to check quackery in health institutions. Maternal deaths occur when Quacks handle child delivery.
” It is so important because our mothers, our wives and our children are involved and their fate, lives and welfare are protected by this bill,” he explained.
Mr Oliver enjoined other members of the house to join hands to ensure that the bill becomes law.
The public hearing was supported by the International Republican Institute IRI, a non- governmental organisation with support from the United States Agency for International Development, USAID.
Another bill treated alongside was Land Instruments Registration, filing of judgement affecting Lands Bill.
Nwufuo added that the bill will make land registration and other related matters easier if passed into law.
