From CHARLES ONYEKWERE, ENUGU
Enugu State government has set up a multidisciplinary regulatory task team to check deaths, substandard and illegal activities in health facilities.
The Commissioner for Health, Professor George Ugwu disclosed this in a press briefing yesterday in Enugu.
Ugwu noted that the regulatory task team had been charged with monitoring, inspecting and enforcing compliance with health regulations across the 17 local government areas.
According to him, the state government through the ministry of health will safeguard the health and safety of residents through the effective regulation of health practices.
The commissioner said the team would work with the enabling powers of the Enugu State Health Sector Reform Law 2017, N.7 Section 235 and the National Health Act.
The commissioner observed with grave concern that a significant number of private health practitioners and facilities operating in the state had failed to comply with procedural and operational safety standard statutory requirements.
“In particular, many private health facilities have not registered with the Enugu State Ministry of Health.
“Some facilities that are registered have refused or failed to pay their annual renewal fees regularly, in clear violation of the law.
“Several facilities are operating beyond the scope of services for which they were registered.
“For example, some hospitals registered as 10-bed facilities are operating far beyond their approved bed capacity, some even claim to be multispecialty when they are not,” he said.
He noted the disturbing trend of untrained and unqualified individuals operating in rural communities, falsely presenting themselves as doctors or nurses and rendering illegal and dangerous health services to the people.
“The ministry views these developments as acts of quackery and unwholesome practices that pose serious risks to public safety, undermine professional standards and erode confidence in the health system.
“The ministry is urging all stakeholders in the health sector — including professional bodies, facility owners, community leaders and the general public — to assist government in reducing sub-standard and illegal practices in some private health facilities.
“Collective vigilance and cooperation are essential in sanitising the health sector and protecting the lives of residents,” he said.
Ugwu directed all private hospitals, chemist shops, medical laboratories and other health facilities operating in the state to ensure immediate registration with the ministry where applicable and maintain regular and timely payment of annual renewal fees.
“Defaulters will be sanctioned in accordance with the provisions of the Enugu State Health Sector Reform Law, including the payment of appropriate penalties, suspension of operations or closure of facilities where necessary.
“For further enquiries or useful information to the State Ministry of Health, please contact: Cyril – 08037955742,” he added.
Responding, the Vice Chairmen, National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Mid-Wives, Mr Innocent Ezema, and the Guild of Medical Laboratory Directors, Enugu State, Mr Chukwumerije Anulu, promised to support the task team.
