The Edo State Government has stepped up regulation of the State’s health sector, sealing off over 108 unregistered health facilities for various unsafe medical practices and failing several quality assurance checks, thereby endangering the lives of millions of Edo people.
The Edo State Health Commissioner, Dr. Samuel Alli, who disclosed this while briefing journalists in Benin City, the Edo State capital, said the sealed facilities employed quacks, practised unsafe abortion, and used expired medicines, among other unethical medical practices.
According to him, the unregistered facilities include 33 medical laboratories, 10 hospitals, 11 nursing homes, 26 community pharmacies, and 28 patent medicine stores.
He said, “When I resumed office in June 2023, part of my charge was to regulate the medical practice in Edo State. This regulation includes registration of all providers of healthcare and ensuring adherence to acceptable medical standards.
“The scope covers the following: hospitals, clinics and medical centres, community pharmacies and patent medicine stores, dental hospitals and clinics, eye hospitals/centres and clinics, physiotherapy centres, nursing homes, diagnostic centres, medical laboratories, maternities, mortuaries, funeral homes, embalmment centres and traditional and alternative medicine practitioners.
“On 3 August 2023, we commenced the war against quackery. So far, a total of one hundred and eight facilities have been sealed. Out of these, 33 were medical laboratories, 10 were hospitals, 11 were nursing homes, 26 were community pharmacies and 28 were patent medicine stores.
“The following are reasons for which these facilities were sealed: unregistered facilities; unsafe medical practices; practicing beyond approved scope and use of unqualified personnel.”
He stated, “We have found several unsafe practices which constitute danger to the people of Edo State. Such practices like unsafe abortion, use of expired medicines, improper waste disposal, unclean and improper environment, and ill-equipped theatres, will no longer be tolerated.
“Such practices when found will not only be sealed but the perpetrators may face prosecution. Therefore, all medical professionals must ensure that they maintain the highest level of medical ethics and standards to ensure that all residents of Edo State are safe.
“Also, the use of unqualified personnel is very rampant in the State. Most of the health facilities engage unqualified personnel. We must reiterate that no qualified doctor is licensed to train nurses. No doctor should train a nurse. If you are interested in training nurses, seek the approval of relevant authorities to open a nursing school.”
The Commissioner further noted, “To this end, we must reiterate that we no longer tolerate the use of unqualified nurses without the supervision of a qualified nurse. Using auxiliary nurses unsupervised is not acceptable. We want all auxiliary nurses certified. We acknowledge the brain drain syndrome leading to a dearth of nurses nationwide, but this does not justify such malfeasance.
“We have used the last 6 months to engage various stakeholders, colleagues in the medical and allied professions and associations to pass this message. However, this has not stemmed the tide. We want to state categorically that in 2024, people should do the proper thing.
“The health of our people is paramount and of priority. While trying to save costs and improve your revenue, we must collectively ensure that we can guarantee optimal healthcare quality for our people. The money you earn by cutting corners today may be to the detriment of your relatives tomorrow.”
Dr. Alli charged, “Kindly cooperate with the Edo State Government in improving the delivery of quality healthcare to our citizens.”
