SAT APRIL 13 2024-theGBJournal| The Delta State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Joseph Onojaeme has called on owners of Private Healthcare Facilities in the State to operate within the confines of the law by ensuring that they register their facilities with the State Ministry of Health before commencing operation.
Dr. Onojaeme made the call Friday in Sapele during the ongoing inspection and monitoring exercise of Private Healthcare Facilities operating in the State.
The Commissioner for Health who was represented during the exercise by the Deputy Director, Department of Medical Services and Training, State Ministry of Health, Dr. Mathew Anibor, said Governor Sheriff Oborewvori was passionate about improving the wellbeing of residents in the State and this measure was one of the means of realizing that.
“It is mandatory for new facilities to register with the State Ministry of Health before commencing operations in the State. Also, all existing registered healthcare facilities in the State are required by law to renew their operational license with the State Ministry of Health annually,” he explained.
The Commissioner added that the exercise was not a witch-hunt, rather it was in furtherance of the public protection mandate that requires the verification of health facilities in the State to ensure strict compliance with the law.
He revealed that in less than a week in the field, the Team had visited 89 private health facilities in five Council Areas namely Ughelli North LGA, Uvwie LGA, Warri South LGA, Sapele LGA, Ethiope West and has sealed 54 facilities, adding that it would cover the entire State, since the exercise was continuous.
The Commissioner frowned at situations where defaulting facilities earlier sealed, were later unsealed by the owners and warned such persons not to test the will of the State government as it is a grave offence to break government seal.
Dr. Onojaeme urged the defaulting owners to cooperate with the government and visit the headquarters of the State Ministry of Health, Asaba with a view to regularising their documents; he also used the medium to request that professional bodies prevail on their members to abide by the law where their members practice.
X-@theGBJournal|Facebook-the Government and Business Journal|email:gbj@govbusinessjournal.com|govandbusinessj@gmail.com
