Anambra Govt partners WHO to monitor, eliminate quack health facilities
By Lucy Osuizigbo-Okechukwu
The Anambra Government in collaboration with World Health Organisation (WHO) have stepped up healthcare facilities monitoring to eliminate quackery and improve quality healthcare services delivery to residents.
Dr Afam Obidike, the state’s Commissioner for Health, at the official launch of the Health Facility Monitoring and Accreditation Unit (ASHAFAMU) and its e-platform, on Tuesday in Awka, said government would not tolerate illegal health practices.
Obidike said the unit set required minimum standards for operations of health facilities, both in public and private healthcare sectors.
“When we resumed office, 80 per cent of healthcare services was being driven by the private sector without regulations. This is why many quack doctors are operating healthcare facilities in the state.
“This was why Gov. Chukwuma Soludo’s administration in partnership with WHO decided to establish ASHAFAMU to ensure quality healthcare delivery 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 well-being of patients,” he said.
The commissioner lauded WHO and the state’s ICT agency for designing the ASHAFAMU e-platform.
Also speaking, Mr Tony Mobuike, Chairman, House Committee on Health at the state Assembly, urged health providers in Anambra 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.
In his remarks, Dr Bonos Mohammed, state Coordinator, WHO, said the establishment of the unit would protect and safeguard the health of citizens.
Mohammed said that WHO would continue to support the state to ensure ASHAFAMU achieve its mandate and sanitise the health sector.
The Managing Director, Anambra ICT Agency, Mr Chukwuemeka Agbata, said accredited health facilities would be uploaded for easy tracking, location and verifying accreditation status.
“Residents should visit this e-platform as it will serve as a hospital directory and for feedback purposes,” he said. (NAN) www.nannews.ng
Edited by Chinyere Nwachukwu/Folasade Adeniran
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