Governor Soludo Asks NMA To Help Fight Quackery In Health Sector
By Faith Onyemuche
Governor Chukwuma Soludo has called on the Nigerian Medical Association, Anambra State Chapter, to assist government in the fight against quackery in the health sector.
The governor made the call during the 2024 Scientific Conference of the Association which held at the NMA House, Federal Medical Centre Onitsha.
The event also featured the fifth Emeritus Professor Festus Nwako Memorial Lecture; grand reception of the immediate past Secretary General of NMA, Dr. Jide Onyekwelu, and the Annual General Meeting of the association.
Governor Soludo, represented by the State Commissioner for Health, Doctor Afam Obidike, said the state government have closed down over 30 health facilities headed by non doctors, pointing out that innocent citizens lose their lives in the hands of fake doctors.
He appealed to the association to assist the government in getting rid of quackery in the health sector by conducting monitoring exercises at health facilities from time to time to fish out fake doctors, assuring that his office is open to working with the association.
In her address, the Chairman of NMA, Anambra State, Dr. Jane Ezeonu, who spoke on the theme of the conference, “Excellent, Resilient and Equitable Health Care System Amidst Economic Downturn”, encouraged doctors to uphold the highest standards of medical practice and healthcare delivery.
On the issue of quackery, Dr. Ezeonu said that Anambra chapter of the NMA has launched a taskforce, as well as commenced capturing of doctors on the NMA website which will be accessible by citizens to ensure that those who are left with their healthcare are truly medical doctors.
She expressed the willingness of the association Anambra to work with the state government in eradicating quackery in the health sector.
Delivering the Emeritus Professor Festus Nwako Memorial Lecture, the Guest Lecturer, Professor Roland Osuoji, said high-quality healthcare is crucial for improving life expectancy and reducing the burden of diseases in the country.
He listed “Japa phenomenon” in the health sector as one of the most potent challenges hindering the realization of high-quality healthcare delivery in the country.
In an interview, the Secretary of the association, Dr. Frank Ifeanaeme, noted that there has been tremendous improvement in the health sector, pointing out that accessibility to health facilities is becoming easier even in remote areas.
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