The Akwa Ibom State Government has announced plans to shut down health facilities operating with unqualified medical personnel.
The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Ekem John, made this known on Sunday during a Health Sector Town Hall Meeting held in Uyo.
He said the move is aimed at safeguarding public health and ensuring the delivery of quality healthcare services across the state.
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John said the decision was to ensure healthcare services were delivered by trained professionals, thereby safeguarding citizens’ health and well-being.
The commissioner stated that Gov. Umo Eno had directed the Ministry of Health to strictly enforce regulations to eliminate illegalities posing a danger to public health.
He reiterated that joint task force team had been inaugurated to combat fake and counterfeit drugs, monitor private health facilities, and quacks operating in the health sector.
The commissioner added that as part of the sector’s reforms, the state government would soon commence the reregistration of all private hospitals, laboratories, and pharmaceutical facilities.
“Today in Akwa Ibom, there is rampant medical quackery, with even tailors passing themselves off as medical doctors,” he said.
“The governor has directed the Ministry of Health to develop a revised guideline, and all private hospitals in the state must be reregistered.
“We will publish the guideline, and all hospitals will be given a time span to comply,” he said.
John said the move would restore citizens’ confidence in the state’s health system and ensure strict adherence to ethical standards in both private and public facilities.
He also announced that the state government would launch two new oxygen plants in August at the General Hospital Ukpum Abak and Emmanuel General Hospital, Eket, to replace industrial oxygen plants.
John applauded the governor for allowing major stakeholders in the health sector to provide inputs for the proposed Ibom International Hospital.