In a bid to improve the healthcare delivery system in Anambra State, the state government, in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO), leveraged technology on Tuesday to eliminate quackery from its health system through the launch of the State Health Facility Monitoring and Accreditation Unit and its e-platform.
Inaugurating the initiative in Awka, the capital of Anambra State, the Chairman of the Anambra State House of Assembly Committee on Health, Hon. Tony Muobike, described it as a tool to actualize Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s dream of providing quality healthcare to the people of Anambra. He noted that due to its importance, the State Legislature did not waste time in passing the bill legitimizing the initiative within a month of its arrival at the assembly.
Muobike, while commending the State ICT Agency for its contribution to the development of the initiative’s e-platform, called on health professionals to familiarize themselves with the law and fully integrate it into their operations to avoid running afoul of it.
“Quackery is in many forms. Aside from those who are operating illegally, we also have registered institutions run by doctors where quackery is being practiced.
“The law supporting this initiative affects all professionals in the health practice and the idea is that each professional will concentrate on their specific areas of certified and proven expertise.
“Though there will be inspectors who will ensure compliance with the law, the public also must ensure that the law is well implemented,” he said.
Earlier in his remarks, the State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Afam Obidike described the initiative as a regulatory system to enhance management of health facilities and practitioners in the state.
“Prior to this administration, almost 80 percent of healthcare services were been driven by the private sector with little or nothing to regulate them but with the advent of the Governor Soludo administration, investment in the healthcare sector have constantly been on the rise ensuring better days ahead.”
Obidike further explained that the initiative and the accompanying e-platform are all aimed at systematically eliminating quackery in all its forms in the state health system and increasing accessibility, especially for those in rural areas.
“Under this initiative, we already have 326 health informants across the state who provide us information on health facilities across the state.
“It is unfortunate that their findings show that 45 percent of the health facilities operating in the state are not registered.
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“This platform will enable residents to identify health facilities that provide services in specific areas, as well as help in reporting issues.
“By adopting advanced monitoring and accreditation processes, we are setting a benchmark for other states in the federation. It is a testament to our commitment to harnessing technology for the advancement of public health.
“At the national level, the Anambra State Health Facilities Monitoring and Accreditation Unit and E-Platform is a crucial step towards achieving the objectives of the National Health Policy. It supports the Federal Government’s efforts to strengthen health systems, improve service delivery, and ensure accountability in the health sector. We are proud to contribute to the realization of these national goals, which are vital for the socio-economic development of our country,” Obidike concluded.
In his remarks, the Managing Director of the State ICT Agency, Chukwuemeka Fred Agbata, CFA expressed appreciation to the governor for the opportunity to demonstrate what technology can do in the health sector.
“Technology for sure, cannot solve all your problems but can solve so many problems. It is only dependent on what you want to achieve with it.
“What the ICT agency has done is to replicate the vision of the Ministry in setting up the e-platform and bringing on board, all the state assets. The idea is to ensure authenticity and eradicate quackery as much as possible,” he said.
CFA explained that the reason for the URL, ashefamu.anambrastate.gov.ng; is to solidify authenticity. The State Executive Council has approved the.anambrastate.gov.ng as a stamp for the authenticity of all government information and processes.
CFA appealed to practitioners in the industry and people of the state to flog the system and ensure that accomplishes the intent for which it was established.
“Tech thrives on data hence the system is as good as the data with which it is fed,” CFA concluded.
In a goodwill message, the representative of the World Health Organisation (WHO), Dr. Mohammed Bonnos congratulated Anambra State for the milestone, saying the initiative will protect Anambra citizens.The platform is targeted to enable real-time registration, renewal, and regulation of health facilities and licenses, data collection, analysis, and reporting, facilitating informed decision-making and prompt intervention where necessary to ensure better performance from healthcare providers.
A practical demonstration of how the system works and discussions on the scalability formed the high points of the event.
