The Edo State government has disclosed that only 10 per cent of the over 7,000 private health facilities in the state are registered with the Edo State Ministry of Health.
Governor, Godwin Obaseki, disclosed this over the weekend during the inauguration of the five-man monitoring committee of the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN), in Benin City.
He said his administration is undertaking a holistic reform of the health system, adding that the committee will play a vital role in rethinking the role of the government in healthcare provision in the state.
The governor said, “Current data shows that we have over 7,000 private health facilities in Edo State which include hospitals, medical centres, nursing homes, laboratories, pharmacies, patent medicines stores, amongst others.
JUST IN: Bandits shoot Imam, abduct worshippers in Katsina mosque
NDLEA arrests grandmother, pregnant woman, declares Abuja drug lord ‘Ibrahim Bendel’ wanted
“Sadly, out of this number, only about 730 are currently registered with the Edo State Ministry of Health which stands at about 10 per cent.
He continued, “This committee will be pivotal in the implementation of some aspects of our health transformational agenda. The medical practice we inherited from the colonial masters was the one which combined both the functions of regulations and operations at that time.
“Government in the past had the responsibility of regulation and providing medical services at the same time, but that has changed over the years. Now the government is no longer the prime provider of medical services. There are more services provided in the medical space by private individuals than government.
He said the state would no longer accept the situation of people dying in hospitals and no proper investigation to know the cause of their deaths, adding that unregistered mortuaries would not be allowed to operate in the state.
He listed the committee terms of reference to include, ensuring that any person performing clinical activities in Edo State is duly registered and licensed by MDCN; reporting cases of all unethical practices and conduct to MDCN and reporting quackery to law enforcement agencies in the State, among others.
Responding, the Chairman of the Committee and a Director of Medical Services, Edo State Ministry of Health, Dr Edward Aisowieren, pledged to stand by the terms of reference of the Committee and bring sanity into the healthcare system
Join Daily Trust WhatsApp Community For Quick Access To News and Happenings Around You.
