AWKA/Nigeria: The Anambra State Government has initiated a comprehensive three-day training program aimed at empowering a taskforce team tasked with monitoring hospitals and eradicating the prevalence of quack doctors within the state.
Organized by the State Ministry of Health in collaboration with the National Agency for the Control of AIDS under the Resilient and Sustainable System for Health initiative, the training commenced with a poignant address from Dr Afam Obidike, the Commissioner for Health in Anambra State.
Dr. Obidike expressed deep concern about the proliferation of unqualified medical practitioners overseeing healthcare facilities, particularly in rural areas, emphasizing that some are individuals without medical backgrounds or who are secondary school dropouts.
“Lamentably, numerous health facilities, particularly in rural areas, are managed by individuals lacking medical expertise or even basic educational qualifications,” remarked Dr. Obidike. “The establishment of this taskforce team by Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s administration is geared towards consistent monitoring, supervision, and strategic identification of quacks and illegitimate hospitals operating in the state.”
Highlighting the imminent danger posed by such unlicensed facilities, Dr. Obidike revealed that several hospitals had already been sealed off due to their perilous operations, which jeopardized the lives of residents.
“The primary objective of this capacity-building exercise is to fortify the taskforce’s abilities, not for witch hunts, but to bolster healthcare services. This is pivotal to instilling confidence in the state’s healthcare system and ensuring that our citizens receive top-quality care,” Dr. Obidike asserted.
He urged residents to refrain from patronizing quack doctors and urged them to report any illegal or unaccredited medical facilities operating within their vicinity, assuring anonymity to informants.
“Should you come across such facilities, report them to us. We assure confidentiality and will take action to weed them out, safeguarding the lives of our people, particularly those in rural areas,” emphasized the Commissioner.
Furthermore, Dr. Obidike disclosed plans by the state government to establish the State Health Facility Monitoring Accreditation Unit in 2024. This initiative aims to streamline proper accreditation processes and enhance rigorous monitoring of hospitals across the state.
Echoing these sentiments, Dr. Charles Okafor, one of the facilitators at the training, emphasized the criticality of robust health facility monitoring in ensuring elevated standards of healthcare for Anambra State residents.
The training session saw the participation of various stakeholders, including members of the Nigerian Medical Association, Civil Society Organisations, Association of Private Medical Practitioners, Association of Optometrists, and other healthcare workers. This collaborative effort signifies a united front in the collective pursuit of elevating healthcare standards and curbing the proliferation of unqualified medical practitioners within Anambra State.
