AKSG Directs Re-registration Of All Private medical Facilities

… Inaugurates Task Forces To Enforce Standards, Root Out Unprofessional Practices Across Health Ecosystem
By Edidiong Obot
UYO

The Akwa Ibom government has directed a complete re-registration of all private hospitals in the State, to be carried out within 30 days of public notice, as part of an anti-quackery campaign.
In addition, the government has declared the end of the era of auxiliary nurses, insisting that every medical facility must define its status — either as a clinic or hospital — and adhere strictly to required standards.
  The move is in line with government’s renewed effort to sanitise Akwa Ibom health sector.
The State commissioner for health, Dr. John Ekem, made this known while inaugurating State Task Forces on Counterfeit and Fake Drugs, Unwholesome Processed Foods, Monitoring of Private Health Facilities, and Anti-Quackery.
Ekem, who performed the inauguration at a ceremony at the Emergency Operations Center, Dakkada Secretariat, Uyo, which brought together health professionals and stakeholders tasked with enforcing standards and rooting out unprofessional practices across the state’s health ecosystem.
Ekem said, “The taskforces comprise representatives from professional bodies such as the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) and the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), alongside key stakeholders from security agencies, including the Nigeria Police Force and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), as well as members of Civil Society Organisations, the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), and legal practitioners.
While addressing the newly inaugurated committees, the health commissioner issued a strong warning against compromise and mediocrity, saying, “Pharmacists are pharmacists, they are not clinics, we will not tolerate that. If we have any form of compromise from these committees, we will dissolve the committee the next day.”
He emphasised that members were chosen based on merit and reliability, urging them to join the government’s commitment to reform the health sector under Governor Umo Eno’s administration. “If your loyalty is to the wrong things your profession does, you may as well excuse yourself. But if you want to be part of the history that this sector was transformed during Governor Umo Eno’s tenure, this is the right place for you to be.”
On the anti-quackery campaign, the commissioner revealed that Governor Eno has directed a complete re-registration of all private hospitals in the State, to be carried out within 30 days of public notice, saying, “If you want to be a hospital that admits patients, then you must operate 24/7 and have a full-time, dedicated medical doctor with a displayed license and picture. Every hospital must have a responsible officer clearly identified,” he said.
Ekem lamented the widespread under-reporting of mortality cases by private facilities, stating that such practices hamper effective data collection and health planning.
“If people die in your hospital and you don’t report it, how do we generate accurate mortality statistics? How do we calculate our birth rates?”
He warned that health facilities failing to comply will face legal consequences. “You cannot have one doctor and 10 auxiliary nurses. That is no longer acceptable. The fine may be small, but you will answer as an ex-convict. We are reviewing our laws and once passed by the House of Assembly, enforcement will be stricter.”
The commissioner charged members of the taskforces not to compromise or shield offenders. “Do not stay in this committee and give people assurances as friends; you will be disappointed. Once there is a violation, you place the sticker, seal the facility, and invite them to the Ministry.”
Terms of reference were shared with members at the event, marking the official commencement of their assignment.
Setting the tone earlier, the permanent secretary, Hospitals Management Board, Dr Abraham Inyangudo, appreciated the commissioner for the inauguration of the committees stating the dangers of fake drugs, saying“We all know the dangers of fake drugs and this should not be condoned”.
Also, speaking, the permanent secretary, Ministry of Health, Dr Patrick Essiet, enjoined commitment members to be up and about on the task before them.
Members of the Task-force on Monitoring of Private Health Facilities and Anti-Quackery include:
Dr. Celestine Akpan as chairman, Dr. Mfon Etukudo, Dr. Uduak Idio, Patricia Etim, Dr. Silas Isonguyo, Dr. Etukakpan Etukakpan, Harry Udo Akpan, Apostle Ekerete Bassey, Comrade Unyime David and Dr. Edidiong James. Others are: Dr. Kefas Kwaghe, Comrade Nsikak Okon, Dr. Mary Onyekwelu, Mr. Franklyn Isang, Dr. Akaiso Uboho, Dr. Cyril Essien, Pharm. Edidiong Udofa, and Dr. Edikan Ackley.
The Taskforce on Counterfeit and Fake Drugs and Unwholesome Processed Foods is chaired by Pharm. Akpabio Elijah Akwaowo. members include: Dr. Chris Enoch, Pharm. Azeeh Maude, Pharm. Etim Godwin Ubam, Pharm. Abasiama Uwatt, Pharm. Naeche John, Uba Saleh Jankaro and Barr. Iniobong Essang Essang. Others include; Pastor Uwem Okon, Barr. Clifford Thom, Mrs. Enobong Akpan, ACC Itoro Essiet, Dr. Uduak Nkanta, Nrs. Florence Ekomobong, Pharm. Mfon Usanga, Comrade Bassey Ibiatisuho, Nnamso Marcus, and Pharm. Nene Udom.
Responding on behalf of both taskforces, Pharm. Akpabio Akwaowo expressed gratitude to the commissioner for entrusting them with the responsibilities and pledged the committees’ commitment to execute their mandates with hardwork to achieve positive results.