By Ovat Abeng
Anambra State Government in collaboration with World Health Organisation (WHO) had stepped up healthcare facilities monitoring to eliminate quackery and improve quality healthcare services to residents.
Commissioner for Health, Dr Afam Obidike who disclosed this on Tuesday at the official launch of Anambra State Health Facility Monitoring and Accreditation Unit (ASHAFAMU) and its E-platform said the government would not tolerate illegal health practices.
He said the unit set required minimum standards for operations of health facilities both in public and private health sectors.
“When we resumed office, 80 per cent of healthcare services is being driven by the private sector without regulations. This is why many quack doctors are operating health facilities in the state.
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“This is also the reason Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s administration in partnership with WHO decided to establish ASHAFAMU to ensure quality healthcare for all residents of the state.
“With this unit, Anambra’s ASHAFAMU will become the second government-owned accreditation body in Nigeria after Lagos state to guarantee patients’ safety.
“The state government will no longer tolerate unprofessional practices, quackery, lack of qualified medical personnel to non-registration of facilities and lack of basic equipment which can compromise the health and the wellbeing of patients,” he said.
Obidike appreciated WHO and the state’s ICT agency for designing the ASHAFAMU e-platform.
Chairman, House Committee on Health and member representing Aguata Constituency ll, at the state Assembly, Mr Tony Mobuike urged health providers in the state to embrace the provisions of the accreditation policy.
“Now there is a legal framework to close down health facilities for non-compliance, arrest and prosecute quack healthcare providers,” he said.
Also speaking, Anambra state Coordinator, WHO, Dr Bonos Mohammed said the establishment of the unit would protect and safeguard the health of citizens.
He pledged WHO’s continued support to the state to ensure ASHAFAMU achieve its mandate and sanitize the health sector.
Managing Director Anambra state ICT Agency, Mr Chukwuemeka Agbata, said accredited health facilities would be uploaded for easy tracking, location and to verify accreditation status.
“Residents should visit this e-platform as it will serve a hospital directory and for feedback purposes,” he added.
