- You do not have any excuse when it comes to the issue of health – Umeh From: IFEANYI Okonkwo
The Commissioner of health Anambra State
Dr. Afam Obidike says plans are underway to establish the state’s Health Facilities Monitoring and Accreditation Agency to eliminate quackery as well as improve healthcare service delivery in the state.
Dr. Obidike said this when he appeared before the state House of Assembly Committee on Finance and Appropriation in Awka for the 2022 Revised Budget defense.
He noted that the intended agency would be charged with the responsibility of monitoring both private and public health facilities to ensure proper registration, accreditation, inspection and monitoring of all health facilities.
“In Anambra, we have about 2000 health facilities out of which about 1500 are private hospitals and they provide health services to over 65 to 70 per cent of the residents.
“We need to know what is going on in these facilities. They will also be given required minimum standards of operations.
“The facilities will be classified accordingly either as clinics or as maternity or specialist hospitals and upload on our websites. It will make it easy for residents to search online for their choice hospital.
“There will be a taskforce going round to monitor the health facilities, evaluate their performances based on set laws and upload data for the state.
The commissioner said the ministry also planned to launch Telemedicine in August, set up the state’s Medical Service and Ambulance System as well as a drug quality assurance laboratory to test all drugs in the state.
The Chairman, House Committee on Health and member representing Aguata I Constituency, Dr. Cater Dike-Umeh urged the commissioner to set timelines for the ministry’s programmes.
“You do not have any excuse when it comes to the issue of health because it is a fundamental right of the people, so, ensure that the funds allocated to health are well utilized.’’
