Anambra govt seeks NMA support in fight against illegal health facilities

The Anambra State Government has called on the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) to support its efforts to eradicate quack and unregistered health facilities in the state.

Adam Obidike, the commissioner for health in Anambra made the appeal during the closing ceremony of the 2026 Physicians Week and Scientific Conference of the Nigerian Medical Association, Awka Zone in Awka on Sunday.

The theme of the Week, Luncheon and Award Presentation Ceremony was “Securing the Future of Medicine in Nigeria and Sub-Saharan Africa”.

Mr Obidike, a medical doctor, said the NMA was a critical partner and that the government would collaborate with the association to track fake and unregistered facilities.

According to him, “Anambra is going to work with the NMA because they will help us to identify people who are not medical personnel practicing in Anambra.”

“We are determined to shut all of them down because when people go there, they receive treatment that is not proper for their ailment.

“We have a checklist and anybody who wants to set up a facility should go to the department of medical services and get the conditions, including the design of the building,” he said.

In his welcome address, Tim-Uzoma Mbaeri, chairman of NMA, Awka Zone, said this year’s Physicians Week and Scientific Conference was a time to celebrate the profession and reconnect members with each other.

Mr Mbaeri, a professor, said the association used the event to visit sick colleagues, provide free laboratory tests including prostate specific antigens testing, urinalysis among others.

He thanked members and partners of the NMA, Awka branch, whose contributions ensured the success of the physicians’ week.

“We also enjoyed a novelty football match, had an opportunity for friendship, recreation, and strong inter-agency relationships.

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“We find satisfaction not merely in the event we organised, but in the lives we have touched, the colleagues we have encouraged, the relationships we have strengthened and the visibility we have given to our profession,” he said.

Mr Mbaeri said three personalities were honoured with awards of meritorious service to the medical profession and the NMA, including Ifeoma Njelita, Emmanuel Umenweke and Amaka Ezeno.

Njelita is an associate professor and a consultant in community medicine at the Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital.

Umenweke is a medical doctor with the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Medical Center, Awka while Ezeno, the third awardee is a lawyer, Notary Public and member of the Body of Benchers.

(NAN)