Minister of State for Health Urges Action Against Quackery in Health Sector
In a recent visit to Ogun State, the Minister of State for Health, Dr. Tunji Alausa, raised concerns over the proliferation of quacks in the healthcare industry, attributing their presence to the alarming practice of organ harvesting within the country. Alausa emphasized the urgent need for legislative measures to regulate the healthcare sector effectively, aiming to curb quackery and enhance service quality.
During discussions with Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun, Alausa underscored the gravity of allowing untrained individuals to operate within the health sector, highlighting the associated risks such as illicit organ harvesting activities. He outlined plans for the Federal Government to introduce legislation to establish a Health Facility Regulatory Commission, aimed at standardizing healthcare practices nationwide, with a call for states to establish their regulatory bodies.
Alausa also revealed federal initiatives to bolster the healthcare workforce, including a proposed annual intake of 10,000 medical students and a significant increase in nursing admissions. Shedding light on President Bola Tinubu's Sectoral Approach Programme, Alausa detailed the allocation of funds for basic health provisions, primary healthcare centers, national health insurance, and emergency services.
Governor Abiodun pledged support for federal efforts to combat quackery, expressing readiness to adopt similar regulatory measures at the state level. He highlighted the establishment of a board for alternative medicine and emphasized the importance of regulating traditional birth attendants to ensure oversight and quality care for pregnant women.
Abiodun commended federal plans to expand medical training capacities and pledged to align state efforts to address the shortage of medical personnel in government health facilities. He emphasized the crucial role of adequate healthcare infrastructure and trained professionals in meeting the healthcare needs of Ogun State's diverse population.
The discussions between the Minister of State for Health and Ogun State Governor reflect a shared commitment to enhancing healthcare standards and addressing challenges such as quackery, underscoring the importance of collaborative efforts between federal and state authorities to strengthen the healthcare delivery system for the benefit of all Nigerians.
