The Federal Government has announced new reforms aimed at bolstering the regulation of healthcare facilities across Nigeria. Dr. Tunji Alausa, Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, unveiled these measures on Thursday in Abuja during the inauguration of the Medical Laboratory Regulation and Inspection initiative to combat quackery.
Dr. Alausa cited growing concerns over unregulated and substandard healthcare services as the catalyst for these reforms. He emphasized the need for strict adherence to standards in all healthcare facilities, especially laboratories, following recent alarming revelations about illegal kidney harvesting rings operating in various parts of the country.
“In light of these shocking discoveries, it is imperative that we enforce stringent regulations to safeguard our citizens,” Dr. Alausa stated. He stressed the government’s commitment to ensuring that every laboratory in Nigeria delivers validated and reliable results, essential for making informed healthcare decisions.
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The minister revealed that while doctors involved in the kidney harvesting scandal had been sanctioned, the implicated hospital remained operational due to the lack of a legal framework for closing such facilities. To address this issue, he announced plans to establish a National Health Facility Regulatory Agency, tasked with monitoring and regulating all healthcare institutions nationwide.
“The creation of this agency will be a major advancement in our efforts to protect public health,” Dr. Alausa said. He assured that the agency would have the authority to shut down any facility failing to meet standards, thereby protecting the public from harmful practices.
He called for inter-agency collaboration to support the enforcement of these regulations, mentioning ongoing partnerships with the police and other relevant bodies to ensure strict adherence to the new laws.
Dr. Alausa also emphasized that the government is committed not only to drafting policies but also to implementing and holding itself accountable for delivering results. As part of the reforms, the Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria (MLSCN) will lead efforts in accrediting and monitoring laboratories, setting a precedent for broader regulatory improvements across the healthcare sector.
“We need to demonstrate effective regulation,” he said. “Our goal is to instill confidence in our healthcare system by ensuring accurate test results and reliable data for treatment decisions.”
Stakeholders in the health sector have greeted the comprehensive plan with cautious optimism, hopeful that these reforms will mark a significant shift towards a more robust and trustworthy healthcare system. Dr. Alausa urged the committee to develop a functional inspection model, enhance regulatory practices, and secure sustainable funding sources.
Prof. Tosan Erhabor, Registrar of MLSCN, highlighted the critical role of accurate laboratory diagnoses, noting that over 70 percent of medical diagnoses rely on laboratory investigations. He identified current challenges such as poor monitoring and inadequate funding and called for a Technical Committee to develop a policy framework to address these issues.
The initiative aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope Agenda,” which seeks innovative solutions to existing challenges. The 15-member team, led by the MLSCN Registrar/Chief Executive Officer, is tasked with implementing these reforms.
