The Federal Government is set to establish a National Health Care Facility Regulatory Agency to enhance the quality and safety of healthcare services across Nigeria.
Tunji Alausa, Honourable Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, made this disclosure during the inauguration of the Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria’s (MLSCN) Technical Team on National Medical Laboratory Regulation and Inspection Against Quackery on Thursday in Abuja.
This was contained in a statement issued by Ado Bako, the Assistant Director of Information, Public Relations and obtained by EKO HOT BLOG.
According to Dr Alausa, the move became necessary following growing concerns over unregulated and substandard healthcare services that had plagued the country’s health sector.
He emphasized that the creation of the new agency represents a major step forward in safeguarding the health and well-being of Nigerians.
The minister further expressed grave concern over recent revelations of illegal kidney ring harvesting operations in Abuja and other parts of the country, noting the absence of legal mechanisms to address such violations and emphasizing the need for stringent regulations.
“In light of these disturbing findings, it is crucial to implement robust regulations to protect our citizens,” Dr. Alausa stated.
He outlined four key pillars of the government’s strategy to achieve President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda in the health sector: improving governance, enhancing health outcomes, unlocking the healthcare value chain, and ensuring health security.
Dr. Alausa assured that the Ministry of Health is committed to designing and supporting effective policies.
He urged the MLSCN Registrar to allocate budget provisions for the Technical Team’s activities and highlighted the importance of the Diagnosis Network Optimal (DNO) project, supported by the Global Fund, in creating a comprehensive laboratory database.
The Minister underscored the urgency of regulating and accrediting laboratories to ensure accurate and reliable test results, warning that labs lacking proper equipment or Laboratory Information Systems should be shut down.
“We are dedicated to ensuring that every laboratory provides validated results critical for sound healthcare decisions,”
Professor Tosan Erhabor, Chairman of the Technical Team and MLSCN Registrar, called for an update to current laboratory inspection standards, citing the reliance of 70% of medical diagnoses on laboratory investigations.
He noted challenges such as poor monitoring, inadequate funding, and misconceptions about the necessity of inspections.
The Technical Team’s goals include developing a sustainable inspection model, improving quality management in laboratories, reducing health tourism, and combating quackery.
The fifteen-member Technical Team includes three media representatives: Joseph Kadiri (Independent Television Communication), Franca N. Ofili (News Agency of Nigeria), and Adeloju Modupe (Radio Nigeria – Capital FM).
Professor Erhabor pledged to fulfill the team’s mandate and contribute to the successful implementation of the new regulatory framework.
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