Ojo Peter, Ibadan
Oyo State Government has sealed five private health facilities in Saki and Ibadan metropolis over illegal practices .
The government through its Task Force on private health facilities headed by the Commissioner for Health , Dr. Basiru Bello, took the action following unscrupulous activities of some medical practitioners through engagement of quack staffers, lack of approval of premises , hospital setting by proprietors of concerned facilities among other things which could compromise the health status of patients upon patronage.
Dr. Basiru Bello who expressed concern over lackadaisical attitude of some owners of private health facilities in the State, reiterated that the government would not tolerate quackery in the sector but would rather promote good practices with a view to ensuring quality health care delivery in all the nooks and crannies of the State.
The Commissioner, who spoke through the Director of Secondary Health Care and Training in the ministry during the monitoring exercise in Ibadan and Saki , Dr .Wale Falana, said the exercise was imperative for the team to evaluate the compliance level of operators of private health facilities to government directives.
According to him, most of the facilities visited by the task force operated without qualified personnel cum scientific orientation which led to the closure of three facilities in Ibadan and two at Saki, while preference were given to some facilities that have commenced registrations.
“These people are practicing quackery and they are killing people . They are not qualified , the environment is not good, no qualified personnel, no scientific orientation , nothing , they are just doing what they like and people’s lives are in danger.
“When we went to Saki too the other time, one of them was using a room where people are living . As we know that one of the pillars of this present administration is health, we are not compromising this, we need to move and make sure our people are been well taken care of by qualified personnel, with good facilities.”
Dr . Basiru admonished the people of the state to be vigilant and at all times patronise government accredited private health facilities, which according to him would have Oyo state government accredited logo displayed, to prevent unforseen circumstances . He, however, assured reopening of concerned facilities the moment their owners fulfill all righteousness
