Anambra state government in collaboration with World Health Organisation (WHO), had stepped up healthcare facilities monitoring to eliminate quackery and improve the quality of healthcare services to residents.
Dr Afam Obidike, Commissioner for Health at the official launch of the Anambra State Health Facility Monitoring and Accreditation Unit (ASHAFAMU) and its E-platform, in Awka, said the 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 health sectors.
“When we resumed office, 80 per cent of healthcare services were being driven by the private sector without regulations. This is why many quack doctors are operating health facilities in the state.
“This was why Gov. 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.
The Commissioner appreciated WHO and the state’s ICT agency for designing the ASHAFAMU e-platform.
Also speaking, Mr Tony Mobuike, Chairman of, House Committee on Health and member representing Aguata Constituency ll, at the state Assembly, 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.
In his remarks, Dr Bonos Mohammed, Anambra 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 sanitizes the health sector.
The Managing Director of 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 said.
