The Lagos State Government has put a stop to the employing and training of auxiliary nurses, warning that any hospital or health facilities that engages in the practice risk outright closure.
The warning became necessary considering the dangers posed to patients by unqualified health workers.
The Permanent Secretary, Health Facility Monitoring and Accreditation Agency, (HEFAMAA), Dr. Abiola Idowu, who gave the warning during a sensitization campaign and town hall meeting in Alimosho Local Council on Thursday stressed that auxiliary nurses have caused more harm than good to the healthcare system.
“Government is determined to stop cases of misdiagnosis and poor treatment linked to quacks posing as professionals”.
She urged Lagos residents to report illegal health facilities and suspicious practitioners to HEFAMAA for prompt action.
Dr Idowu noted that the state has sealed 32 health facilities between January and June this year for various offences warning that monitoring and inspection teams have been deployed to all Councils and Development areas to ensure compliance.
While the government is cracking down on quack practices, community leaders want officials to focus on improving services in public hospitals.
Dr. Abiola Idowu’s message which was delivered by a Director of Research and Statistics, Dr. Olorunfemi Olonire emphasized that “Only qualified and licensed medical professionals are permitted to practise in Lagos”.
The King of Shasha Kingdom, Oba Babatunde Nasiru, expressed dismay at the poor attitude of staff in state-owned hospitals, warning that unless service delivery improves, residents will continue to seek alternative treatments from unqualified practitioners. “Government must properly equip and staff its hospitals. If not, people will keep patronising quacks,” the monarch said.
He added that HEFAMAA must intensify its oversight not only on private clinics but also on public facilities.
The crackdown on auxiliary nurses in Lagos marks a new phase in the state’s efforts to sanitise the health sector.
Reporting by Julie Ekong