The Anambra State government has called on the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) to collaborate with the state in a crackdown on unregistered and unregulated health facilities operating within its borders.
Adam Obidike, the Anambra State Commissioner for Health, made the appeal during the closing ceremony of the 2026 Physicians Week and Scientific Conference of the NMA Awka Zone in Awka on Sunday. The commissioner expressed the need for professional medical bodies to assist the government in identifying establishments that do not meet required standards.
The Anambra government’s appeal for NMA support aims to curb the proliferation of substandard clinics that lack the necessary medical personnel and equipment. Such facilities often pose severe risks to public safety and contribute to avoidable medical complications and mortality rates.
Strengthening medical oversight in Anambra
The commissioner’s request focuses on leveraging the expertise of licensed doctors to act as a watchdog. By involving the NMA, the state government intends to create a more effective reporting mechanism to detect “quackery” and facilities that masquerade as legitimate medical centres without accreditation from the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) or state regulatory agencies.
Illegal health centres in many parts of Nigeria frequently operate in residential areas, offering services such as maternity care, laboratory tests, and general consultations without any official oversight. These unregulated entities often bypass the strict licensing processes required to ensure patient safety and clinical hygiene.
The scientific conference, which brought together medical professionals in the Awka Zone, served as a platform for discussing professional standards and the ongoing challenges facing the healthcare sector. Obidike emphasised that the state’s commitment to improving healthcare delivery depends on a unified front between the government and the medical community.
The ministry is expected to intensify its inspection and enforcement activities in the coming months to ensure that all medical premises operating within the state comply with the established health regulations and professional guidelines.
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