Senate Advances Bill to Establish Specialized Malaria Agency
A Bill seeking to establish the National Agency for Malaria Eradication (NAME) has passed the second reading at the Nigerian Senate. The proposed agency will serve as an independent body responsible for coordinating national malaria policies, managing funding, and advancing research into malaria vaccines and genetic innovations.
The sponsor of the Bill highlighted the devastating impact of malaria in Nigeria, which records over 184,000 malaria-related deaths annually. He stressed that the disease contributes significantly to maternal mortality, anemia, miscarriages, stillbirths, and infant deaths. He also noted the limitations of existing institutions and called for a more focused and better-resourced agency.
The bill received wide support from senators across political parties, who agreed on the need for a dedicated agency to streamline Nigeria's malaria response and eliminate overlap and inefficiencies in the current system.
The Bill has been referred to the Senate Committee on Health, which is expected to hold a public hearing and submit its report within four weeks. This marks an important legislative step toward ending malaria in Nigeria through targeted policy and scientific coordination.
Another Bill to Regulate Surrogacy Passes First Reading in House of Representatives
On May 21, 2025, the first reading of a Bill aimed at regulating surrogacy in Nigeria scaled through the House of Representatives. The proposed law titled: A Bill for an Act to Protect the Health and Well-being of Women, Particularly in Relation to Surrogacy and for Related Matters, seeks to ensure that surrogacy is conducted ethically and in a rights-based manner.
The Bill prohibits commercial surrogacy, allowing only voluntary arrangements without financial reward beyond reimbursement for medical and pregnancy-related costs. Surrogates must be at least 21 years old, receive counselling, and provide informed, uncoerced consent. The Bill also guarantees access to prenatal and postnatal care for surrogates.
It mandates counselling for intending parents, bans the commodification of children, and sets strict oversight for all parties involved in surrogacy-including agencies, healthcare providers, and egg donors. Violations could attract penalties of up to 2million, two years' imprisonment, or both.
A similar Bill had previously scaled second reading in October 2024 and was referred to the House Committee on Healthcare Services.
House of Representatives Calls for Nationwide Mandatory Diphtheria Immunisation
The House of Representatives has called on the Federal Government to enforce compulsory diphtheria immunisation, as well as mass testing and treatment, across all 774 Local Government Areas in Nigeria. Lawmakers expressed concern over the alarming rise in diphtheria cases, citing 41,978 suspected infections and 1,279 related deaths between May 2022 and February 2025. It was also noted that only 19.7% of affected children had received full doses of the diphtheria vaccine, highlighting a significant gap in immunisation coverage.
In response, the House directed the Federal Ministry of Health, the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) to intensify nationwide vaccination efforts, testing, and treatment services through health centres. The Ministry of Information and National Orientation was also tasked with conducting awareness campaigns to educate the public on diphtheria prevention, symptoms, and the importance of early intervention.'
To ensure accountability and effectiveness, the House mandated its Committees on Health and Health Institutions to assess the capacity and preparedness of health facilities to manage diphtheria cases. The Committees are expected to report their findings within four weeks to guide further legislative action.
Reps Push for Free Cancer Screening & Subsidised Treatment
The House of Representatives has urged the Federal Government to initiate free cancer screening and subsidised treatment programmes. The motion highlights cancer as a growing health crisis in Nigeria, with many patients unable to afford diagnosis and care-especially low-income earners.
The House directed its Committee on Healthcare Services to collaborate with the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, and other relevant agencies to establish a mechanism for the Federal Government to provide subsidies for cancer treatment and related drugs to ameliorate the suffering of patients.
If implemented, this initiative could significantly reduce financial barriers and improve access to cancer care across Nigeria.
Psychiatrists Urge Anti-Bullying Law and Safer Environments for Children
Psychiatrists have raised concerns over the increasing prevalence of bullying in Nigerian schools, especially tertiary and secondary institutions, calling for urgent legal reforms to protect vulnerable children. The physicians advocate for the National Assembly to enact anti-bullying legislation that would penalise perpetrators and ensure appropriate support and compensation for victims. Experts highlighted the profound impacts of bullying-ranging from anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem to more severe outcomes such as suicide-and stressed that bullying often stems from dysfunctional family environments. They recommend a comprehensive approach including policy development, institutional enforcement, awareness campaigns, and community engagement to create safer, more supportive environment for children.
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