Dr Tunji Alausa, the Minister of State for Health, has expressed concern over the proliferation of quackery in the healthcare industry, attributing it to the disturbing trend of organ harvesting in the country.
Alausa emphasized the need for the Federal Government to introduce legislation to regulate the healthcare sector effectively, aiming to eliminate quackery and enhance service delivery standards.
During a courtesy visit to Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State in Abeokuta, the minister decried the presence of unqualified individuals operating within the health sector, which he identified as breeding grounds for illegal activities such as organ harvesting.
“We will advocate for new regulations to oversee the healthcare sector, as over 60% of the nation’s healthcare facilities are privately owned without adequate oversight,” Alausa stated.
He further outlined plans by the Federal Government to bolster the production of healthcare professionals, with proposed annual admissions of 10,000 medical students and an increase in nursing admissions from 28,000 to 68,000.
Discussing the Sectoral Approach Programme initiated by President Bola Tinubu, Alausa highlighted the allocation of funds, including one percent for Basic Health Provision, 55% for Primary Healthcare Centres, and 45% for National Health Insurance, with an additional five percent allocated to Emergency Services.
Commending Ogun State’s diligence in managing the Basic Health Provision Funds, Alausa urged Governor Abiodun to ensure the funds are channeled appropriately to benefit primary healthcare centers.
In response, Governor Abiodun pledged to replicate federal government initiatives aimed at curbing quackery in the health sector at the state level. He highlighted efforts to regulate traditional birth attendants and expressed support for increasing admissions to medical institutions to address personnel shortages in government health facilities.
As the industrial, educational, and religious hub of Nigeria, Governor Abiodun emphasized the importance of adequate healthcare infrastructure and skilled personnel to meet the healthcare needs of Ogun State residents. He pledged continued support for the federal government’s agenda to revitalize the health sector under President Tinubu’s leadership.
