The Federal Government has announced a set of reforms aimed at strengthening the regulation of healthcare facilities across Nigeria.
Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare Tunji Alausa, disclosed this on Thursday in Abuja at the inauguration of Medical Laboratory Regulation and Inspection against Quackery in Nigeria
Alausa said that the move came in response to growing concerns over unregulated and substandard healthcare services that had plagued the country’s health sector.
He emphasized the importance of ensuring that all healthcare facilities, particularly laboratories, adhered to stringent standards.
The minister highlighted recent revelations about illegal kidney harvesting rings operating in Abuja and other parts of the country, underscoring the urgent need for comprehensive oversight.
“In light of the shocking discoveries regarding the illegal activities in some healthcare facilities, it has become imperative that we enforce strict regulations to protect our citizens.
“We are committed to ensuring that every laboratory in Nigeria provides validated and reliable results, which are crucial for making sound healthcare decisions,” he said.
He revealed that while doctors involved in the kidney harvesting scandal had been sanctioned, the implicated hospital remained operational due to the absence of a legal framework to shut down such facilities.
To address this gap, the minister announced plans to establish a National Health Facility Regulatory Agency, which would be tasked with monitoring and regulating all healthcare institutions in the country.
“The establishment of this agency will be a significant step forward in our efforts to protect the health and well-being of Nigerians.
“We will ensure that the agency is equipped with the authority to shut down any facility that fails to meet our standards, thereby safeguarding the public from harmful practices,” he said.
He also called for collaboration across government agencies to support enforcement of the regulations.
He mentioned ongoing partnerships with the police and other relevant bodies to ensure that the laws were strictly enforced.
