Rep Moves To Stop Political Office Holders From Using Private Hospitals, Schools

A bill titled An Act to Prohibit Public and Civil Servants from Patronising Private Schools and Health Care Services and for Related Matters (HB 2487) has passed its first reading in the House of Representatives.

The bill, if passed into law, will stop political office holders and public servants from using private hospitals and schools.

The lawmaker representing Isuikwuato/Umunneochi Federal Constituency of Abia State, Amobi Ogah, who sponsored the bill, said it was part of efforts to revive confidence in the country’s public institutions.

The bill titled ‘A Bill for an Act to Prohibit Public and Civil Servants from Patronising Private Schools and Health Care Services and for Related Matters (HB 2487)’, seeks to compel government officials and members of their families to use public hospitals and schools.

“This bill intends to avoid conflict of interest, maintain public trust and high uncompromised standards of public institutions,” the lawmaker said.

While describing the development as a call to national rebirth, Ogah urged Nigerians, civil society groups and the media to support the bill.