Christiana Gokyo, Jos
The Plateau State House of Assembly has passed the Bill for a Law to Provide Funds and Other Support to Approved Faith-Based Health Institutions in Plateau State and for Other Related Matters, 2024, aimed at strengthening healthcare delivery through strategic collaboration with approved faith-based health institutions across the state.
Presenting the report of the House Standing Committee on Health on behalf of its Chairman, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Y. Sanda, the Deputy Chairman of the Committee and Member representing Langtang North Central Constituency, Hon. Daniel Nanbol Listick, recalled that the Bill was referred to the Committee on March 5, 2025, for detailed legislative scrutiny.
He explained that the Committee thoroughly examined the Bill and conducted a public hearing on August 22, 2025, during which critical stakeholders made valuable submissions.
Hon. Listick informed the House that the Committee observed overwhelming support for the Bill, noting that it seeks to provide compassionate, quality healthcare services to all citizens, irrespective of faith, race, or socio-economic status.
He added that the proposed legislation would improve healthcare delivery, address disparities in underserved communities, integrate spiritual care and holistic healing into healthcare services, and establish a stronger regulatory framework for approved faith-based health institutions operating in Plateau State.
The lawmaker further stated that, after considering memoranda presented during the public hearing, the Committee recommended several amendments to strengthen the Bill.
The recommendations include the inclusion of representatives of faith-based health institutions in relevant implementation processes, improved transparency in the release of funds, enhanced regulatory oversight by the Ministry responsible for health, sanctions for institutions that violate the provisions of the law, and alignment of implementation with existing legislative frameworks and the policies of the Federal Ministry of Health.
Following the presentation, the Chairman of the House Standing Committee on Health, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Y. Sanda, moved a motion for the adoption of the Committee’s report, which was seconded by the Deputy Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Daniel Nanbol Listick.
The House unanimously adopted the motion.
The Majority Leader subsequently moved a motion for the House to dissolve into the Committee of the Whole to enable members to consider the Committee’s report clause by clause.
The motion was seconded by the Member representing Langtang North North Constituency, Hon. Abel Nansak.
The House painstakingly examined the report page by page, considered each recommendation, approved the necessary amendments, and thereafter resumed plenary, where the report of the Committee of the Whole was adopted.
Following the adoption of the report, the Speaker of the Plateau State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Naanlong Daniel, put the question on whether the Bill should be read for the third time.
The House voted overwhelmingly in support, after which the Clerk of the House read the Bill for the third time, and the Third Reading was accordingly taken.
The Speaker thereafter directed the Clerk of the House to prepare a clean copy of the Bill and transmit it to the Governor of Plateau State, Barr. Caleb Mutfwang, for assent in accordance with the constitutional legislative process.
The passage of the Bill reflects the commitment of the Plateau State House of Assembly, under the leadership of Rt. Hon. Naanlong Daniel, to enacting laws that improve the welfare of the people.
The legislation is expected to strengthen the partnership between the government and approved faith-based health institutions, improve access to quality healthcare services, promote accountability in the administration of public support, and enhance healthcare delivery across Plateau State.
