A 5-man delegation from Institute on Medical and Health Law (IMHL), paid a courtesy visit to distinguished Senator (Dr.) Ibrahim Oloriegbe, the Chairman, Senate Committee on Health on Monday, 23^rd May, 2023, to congratulate him on the successful passage of 3 health bills sponsored by him by the 9^th Senate of the National Assembly.

The delegation led by Professor Uwakwe Abugu, a foremost Professor of Medical Law and Ethics in Nigeria, who is also the President of the Institute registered their gratitude and appreciation to the distinguished Senator for sponsoring and championing the passage of 3 new health bills which were coincidentally passed by the Senate on Monday, 23^rd May, 2023. The said bills include:

1. Public Health Emergency Bill,
2. Ports Health Service Bill, and
3. NCDC Amendment Bill.

Furthermore, the delegation thanked the distinguished Senator for his legislative activism geared towards strengthening our health system through legislations as the distinguished Senator has in the past sponsored and championed the passage of some health related bills, among which is the National Mental Health Bill, which was recently assented to by President Muhammadu Buhari earlier this year.

The visit was utilized by the Institute to appeal for collaboration between the National Assembly and the Institute which is poised to provide technical support and services to the National Assembly in respect of health related bills that would further strengthen our healthcare delivery system.

Reacting to the visit, the distinguished Senator expressed his delight to receive the delegation and briefed them on why he is passionate about quality healthcare delivery in our nation. He traced his present day contributions at the Senate to his background in Civil Society Organization, as well as having served as the Chairman, House Committee on Health, during his days as Honourable Member of Kwara State House of Assembly. He also commended the Institute for bridging the knowledge gap in Medical and Health education as it relates to medical law and ethics. Furthermore, he pledged to support the Institute in whatever way he could to foster a robust relationship between the Institute and the Senate of National Assembly as the Institute will serve as veritable repository of knowledge to provide technical guide in health related bills/laws to be considered for passage by the Senate. He urged the Institute to widen its scope of membership to accommodate persons from the varied disciplines in the healthcare sector/system.

The Senator also expressed his willingness to become a member of the Institute by enrolling and attending trainings by the Institute to build his capacity in this important but specialized area.

The Institute of Medical and Health law (IMHL) is the first Institute in Nigeria that trains prospective members on medical and health law. Covering topics such as medical ethics, legal consent in medical treatment, medico-legal jurisprudence, patient’s rights and obligations, redress mechanisms for Patient’s rights violation, various themes on Public Health Law, Health Security, Port Health Regulations, International Health Regulations etc. The Institute’s door is open for the training of lawyers and healthcare professionals who are interested in building their capacity in this area of practice. For more information on the Institute, kindly visit www.melpan.com