Edo State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Samuel Alli, has warned medical facilities operators in the state to do things properly and to the acceptable minimum medical standard.
He was speaking when he led some management officials of his ministry on a regulatory inspection of some medical facilities in Benin metropolis on Thursday afternoon.
On his observation of the level of care that was obtainable at the facilities visited he said, “You can see for yourself. The level of care is not acceptable. It is below the acceptable medical standard for any hospital or clinic.
“We are starting the operation war against quackery, medical malpractice, sharp practices, all forms of medical criminalities that are inherent in our society because they constitute a lot of danger to the health and the life of our people.
“We need to protect the lives of our people. That’s why we’re doing all of these things(inspection).”
He dispelled insinuations that the inspection is aimed at generating revenue for his ministry.
“I have not discussed money with anyone. It’s not a revenue drive. There are basic processes that are involved in setting up a hospital or even operating it. Like as you went round you can see for yourself. In this hospital (Tino Medical Centre) the theatre is below standard.
“Infact, that’s not even a theatre. We cannot call that a theatre. That’s a mockery. It’s totally unacceptable. How much are they going to pay us for all of this work? It’s not about revenue drive. It is about maintaining quality. It is about ensuring standards in our practice. It’s about regulation. It’s about ensuring that the lives of our people are adequately cared for in an environment that is safe and meet up to the minimum required medical standard.”
Going further, the Commissioner stressed, “we are appealing to all those who have infraction. People need to know that there are standards to medical practice which we all know but because there has not been regulation. No one has taken the bull by the horns, anything goes.
“We cannot allow that to continue to happen. There must be regulation. There must be a standard to how things are done and done properly.”
Some of the facilities inspected included Tino Medical Centre situated in St. Saviour Road, Off Sakponba Road; General Medical Centre, Hospital and Maternity situated by Nomayo Street, Off Upper Sakponba Road and Medix Healthcare Limited along Upper Sakponba Road which were all sealed for infractions.
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