By Ovat Abeng
The Anambra State Government through the Ministry of Health, has sealed fifty four health facilities across the state between January 2023 to December 2025 over quack practices.
The State Commissioner for Health, Dr Afam Ben Obidike, who disclosed this in his address deliver during a press conference, held in Awka, on Monday, however, announced that 15 out of the above mentioned figures where reopen following compliances.
He said the development was in line with Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo’s vision of transforming Anambra healthcare delivery system to International best standard, noting that the affected hospitals include the state-owned Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital Anaku-Awka.
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According to the Commissioner, “I warmly welcome you, on behalf of the Anambra State Ministry of Health, to this press briefing on the significant progress recorded in emergency medical services and overall health system strengthening in Anambra State under the visionary leadership of His Excellency, Professor Charles Chukwuma Soludo.
“Since the official commissioning of the Anambra State Emergency Medical Services and Ambulance System (ASEMSAS) on 11th May 2023, our state has experienced clear and measurable improvements in emergency response, access to care, and patient outcomes.
“These achievements reflect the administration’s steadfast commitment to safeguarding lives and building a resilient, people-centred health system, driven by the high-impact leadership of our Solution Governor.
“At inception in May 2023, ASEMSAS began operations with a modest fleet of just ten ambulances, across some local government areas.
“Today, under the thoughtful stewardship of Governor Soludo, the system has grown to over sixty operational ambulances, across all twenty-one local government areas of Anambra State.
“In addition, we have received declarations of interest from 588 supplementary emergency transport units. Of these, 315 arc tricycle ambulances dedicated to Rural Emergency Services and Maternal Transportation (RESMAT), a targeted health initiative aimed at reducing maternal and neonatal mortality, particularly in hard-to-reach and underserved rural communities. We have also integrated seven boat ambulances to serve our riverine populations.
“This more than six-fold expansion of emergency transport has ensured that timely, life-saving care is no longer a privilege of a few but a service within reach of residents across urban centres, rural settlements, and riverine areas alike.
“It is clear evidence that emergency medical care in Anambra State has moved from aspiration to reality. Beyond expanding the fleet, the State Government has deliberately integrated ASEMSAS with an extensive network of public, private, and faith-based health facilities across the state.
“This integration strengthens referral pathways and ensures that patients transported by emergency services are received promptly in facilities equipped to deliver the appropriate level of care without delay.
From May 2023 to December 2025, ASEMSAS facilitated over 150 emergency medical transports, covering obstetric and neonatal emergencies, trauma cases, acute medical conditions, and disaster-related incidents. Notably building collapses, road traffic accidents, critically ill newborns referred to within seventy-two hours of delivery, in line with internationally recognised standards for neonatal survival.
These efforts, combined with improvements in facility readiness, have significantly enhanced survival prospects for mothers and newborns across Anambra State. It is also important to emphasise that ASEMSAS services are free of charge within the first forty-eight hours of emergency care. In specific circumstances, particularly where clinical need demands continuity of care, this free service window may be extended. This policy ensures that no resident is denied emergency medical attention because of financial constraints at the most critical moments of need. Under the leadership of Governor Soludo, emergency transport has been complemented by broader, transformative health sector reforms.
“In September 2023, governor Soludo introduced a landmark policy of free antenatal care and delivery services for pregnant women across all government hospitals and primary healthcare centres in the state. This policy removed financial barriers to maternal care and has delivered remarkable results.
“Over eighteen-month period, more than 102,000 facility-based deliveries were recorded under this initiative, including over 300 caesarean sections, with ASEMSAS providing emergency standby support where required.
“This intervention has significantly strengthened our drive to reduce maternal and neonatal mortality.
“The administration has also invested substantially in health infrastructure.
“Five new general hospitals have been constructed in previously underserved areas, each supported with ambulances dedicated to emergency medical services.
“In addition, over 130 primary healthcare centres have been rehabilitated statewide.
“These upgrades align seamlessly with ASEMSAS objectives, ensuring that patients are not only transported faster but are received in better facilities equipped to provide quality care.
“Strategic partnerships with federal agencies, including the Federal Road Safety Corps, especially during high-risk periods such as festive seasons. have further enhanced preparedness, coordination, and rapid emergency response. ASEMSAS is anchored on the guiding principle of “Everything Technology. Technology Everywhere.” The system operates toll-free emergency hotlines, supported by real-time ambulance tracking to optimise response times and efficiency. Digital platforms such as YouTube, Facebook, and WhatsApp are actively used for public education, emergency awareness, feedback, and community engagement. Residents are encouraged to access emergency services through the 112, 5111, and 08002200008 hotlines, as well as 09113634522, 09113634381, and 09113634173.
“Our digital presence continues to promote transparency, accountability, and appropriate utilisation of emergency services. While we acknowledge these achievements, we remain candid about existing challenges. These include increasing public awareness and demand creation.
limitations in fleet size relative to population needs. poor road infrastructure in some areas, and misconceptions about when and how to access emergency services. In response, our future plans focus on further expansion, sustained advocacy for improved road networks, and intensified public education through schools, churches, and community town halls. Beyond emergency services, this administration has recognised the critical need for strong healthcare regulation and standardization. This led to the establishment of the Anambra State Health Facility Monitoring and Accreditation Agency (ASHAFEMA), charged with regulating, monitoring, and improving standards across both public and private healthcare facilities.
“ASHAFEMA ensures quality service delivery, enforces compliance, strengthens accountability, improves patient outcomes, and restores public confidence in the health system.
“ASHAFEMA adopts a comprehensive, technology-driven approach, featuring automated facility registration, accreditation tracking, data management, and stakeholder feedback through a dedicated electronic portal.
“The agency conducts rigorous inspections, supports continuous quality improvement, provides capacity- building programmes for healthcare workers, and enforces regulatory standards decisively where non-compliance is identified. Between 2022 and 2025, these regulatory efforts have yielded tangible results.
“We registered 112 new hospitals alongside 1,009 existing ones, sealed 54 facilities due to quackery, and reopened 15 following compliances. In the diagnostic sector, 75 new centres were registered in addition to 248 existing facilities, with enforcement actions taken against non-compliant centres.
“Similar outcomes were recorded across maternity homes and eye clinics, reinforcing patient safety and ethical practice. Looking ahead, ASHAFEMA will continue to drive improvements in healthcare quality, transparency, and collaboration across the sector.
“By strengthening accreditation standards and leveraging digital innovation, we are laying the foundation for a sustainable and resilient healthcare system that serves both providers and communities effectively.
“Under the visionary leadership of Professor Charles Chukwuma Soludo, Anambra State has built an emergency medical services system that responds decisively when it matters most, supported by a regulatory framework that guarantees quality and accountability. From expanding our ambulance fleet to integrating emergency care with strengthened health facilities statewide, we have demonstrated a firm commitment to the belief that no one should die waiting for help.
“The establishment of ASEMSAS and ASHAFEMA reflects our steadfast dedication to healthcare excellence. These initiatives are not merely programmes; they are pillars of a healthcare system designed to earn public trust, meet international standards, and position Anambra State as a leader in healthcare delivery in Nigeria and beyond. As we look towards 2026 and beyond, our mission remains clear: faster response times, stronger systems, better health outcomes, and no life left behind.
“Together, let us continue working to ensure that preventable emergencies do not claim preventable lives in Anambra State,” the Commissioner concluded.
