Editor
The Anambra State House of Assembly has passed a bill for a law to establish health facilities monitoring and accredited agency to checks quackery and safeguard the health of residents in the state.
The Bill entitled: ‘Anambra State Health Facilities Monitoring and Accreditation Agency Bill 2024’, was passed after third reading on Thursday.
The lawmakers, at the Committee of the Whole House, took turns to scrutinise the 35-Clause executive Bill presented by Mr Ikenna Ofodeme, Majority Leader and member representing Ekwusigo Constituency, before its passage.
The Speaker, Dr Somtochukwu Udeze, conducted a voice vote on each of the clauses of the bill before its passage by the House.
Udeze said the passage followed the consideration of the report presented by Mr Tony Mobuike, Chairman, House Committee on Health.
Subsequently, Udeze, directed the Acting Clerk, Mr Okechukwu Nwobi, to transmit a clean copy of the bill to Gov. Chukwuma Soludo for assent.
The bill states that the objective is to provide an effective legal framework for the accreditation and monitoring of private and public health facilities in the state.
It says that only licensed health professionals would practice in health facilities in the state.
Speaking to newsman at the end of plenary, Mobuike, Chairman, House Committee on Health and member representing Aguata Constituency ll, said the bill was necessary to regulate activities in the health sector.
“Hospitals, diagnostic clinics and laboratories operate anyhow in the state because there are no regulations.
“So, this Bill will bring about the agency that will ensure that every health facility in the state is registered and conforms to established law.
“When this Bill is signed into law, it will help fish out fake medical practitioners, increase the quality of healthcare delivery to residents and reduce health risks of patients,” Muobike said
