The Enugu State government has set up a multidisciplinary regulatory task team to check deaths, substandard, and illegal activities in health facilities in the state, notwithstanding their remote locations.
Commissioner for Health, Prof. George Ugwu, disclosed this in a press briefing on Tuesday in Enugu.
Prof. Ugwu noted that the regulatory task team is charged with monitoring, inspecting, and enforcing compliance with health regulations across all the 17 local government areas of the state.
According to him, the state government, through the Ministry of Health, is unwavering in its commitment to safeguarding the health and safety of Enugu State residents through the effective regulation of health practices across the state.
The commissioner said that the team would be working in accordance with the Enugu State Health Sector Reform Law, 2017, and the National Health Act.
Prof. Ugwu observed that a significant number of private health practitioners and facilities operating in the state had failed to comply with procedural and operational safety standards and statutory requirements.
“In particular, many private health facilities have not registered with the Enugu State Ministry of Health.
“Some facilities that are registered have refused or failed to pay their annual renewal fees regularly, in clear violation of the law.
“Several facilities are operating beyond the scope of services for which they were registered.
“For example, some hospitals registered as 10-bed facilities are operating far beyond their approved bed capacity, some even claim to be multispecialty when they are not,” he said.
He noted the disturbing trend of untrained and unqualified individuals operating in rural communities, falsely presenting themselves as doctors or nurses and rendering illegal and dangerous health services to the people.
“The ministry views these developments as acts of quackery and unwholesome practices that pose serious risks to public safety, undermine professional standards, and erode confidence in the health system.
“The ministry is urging all stakeholders in the health sector, including professional bodies, facility owners, community leaders, and the general public, to assist the government in reducing sub-standard and illegal practices in some private health facilities.
“Collective vigilance and cooperation are essential to sanitising the health sector and protecting the lives of Enugu residents,” he said.
Prof. Ugwu directed all private hospitals, chemist shops, medical laboratories, and other health facilities operating in the state to ensure immediate registration with the ministry where applicable, and maintain regular and timely payment of annual renewal fees.
“Defaulters will be sanctioned in accordance with the provisions of the Enugu State Health Sector Reform Law, including the payment of appropriate penalties, suspension of operations, or closure of facilities where necessary,” he added.
