Anambra State Government Takes Decisive Action Against Health Sector Quackery

The Anambra State Government has launched a proactive campaign against quackery in the health sector, issuing a stern warning to the public to cease any involvement in such practices within the state.

Dr. Afam Ben Obidike, the State Commissioner for Health, conveyed this message during a one-day capacity training for the task-force team on hospital monitoring in Awka on Wednesday. He urged residents to report any instances of quackery to the government, emphasizing the importance of enhancing healthcare and service delivery in both public and private healthcare facilities across the state’s 21 local government areas.

Obidike clarified that the training aimed to improve the competence and effectiveness of health workers through careful observation, discussion, guidance, and support. He stressed that the objective was not to witch-hunt but to ensure the public receives quality care and maintains trust in the state’s healthcare system.

The Commissioner urged the public to report quack practitioners and illegal hospitals while assuring the confidentiality of informants. He disclosed that several hospitals had already been sealed due to quackery, emphasizing the threat these facilities pose to lives.

“We are intensifying our efforts with this capacity training for individuals who will monitor hospital activities,” Obidike stated. He announced plans for continuous monitoring, strategic identification of quack practitioners and fake hospitals in the coming year, and encouraged public reporting.

In a bold move, the state plans to establish the Anambra State Health Facility Monitoring Accreditation Unit next year. Hospitals must obtain accreditation to operate, further ensuring the quality and safety of healthcare services.

Dr. Obidike attributed the significant improvement in Anambra’s healthcare system to the leadership of Governor Chukwuma Soludo. He cited data-driven evidence, such as increased hospital attendance and a decline in maternal deaths over the past two years.

The training, organized by the Anambra State Government in collaboration with the National Agency for the Control of AIDS under Resilient and Sustainable System for Health, included participants from various healthcare organizations, demonstrating a collective effort to combat quackery in the health sector.