North-West states raise alarm over substandard private health institutions

The seven states of the North West have raised concerns over the increasing number of substandard private health institutions operating across the region, warning that they pose a serious threat to the lives and wellbeing of citizens.

Jigawa State Commissioner of Health  and Chairman of the North-West Commissioners’ Forum, Dr Abdullahi Kainuwa, disclosed this during a stakeholders’ meeting held in Dutse, Jigawa State.

Addressing the provosts of health institutions in Jigawa State, the commissioner said the forum was aware of the illegal and substandard operations of private health institutions in the state, which, he said, would not be acceptable.

He said the forum had constituted a task force committee on private health institutions to ensure that every private health institution operates according to the rules and regulations guiding the establishment of such schools.

“Any school that does not meet the standard, we have given the committee mandate to close the school,” he said.

“This exercise is also taking place across all the seven North West states. It’s quite unfortunate some schools do not even have permanent places, no permanent staff, no laboratory and other requirements,” he said.

“We are aware that government does not have enough schools to contain all the population; there is a need for private schools, but that school must answer its name school.”

The commissioner noted further, “We will also charge the regulatory agencies for issuing approval to such schools without seeing school, its staff, facilities and other requirements for the establishment of school.

“We are going to find out whoever is involved or responsible for giving such approvals will definitely lose his job.

“We are not trying to stop you from doing your job, but if you want to do it, you must do it according to the laid down regulations. This is serious; it has to do with the lives of people.”