Expert Canvasses Synergy Among Health Regulatory Agencies

A pharmacist, Mr Michael
Obini, last Tuesday called for closer collaboration among regulatory bodies in the health sector to check unethical practices.
Obini, the Consultant Pharmacist at the Federal Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki, who made the call in an interview in Abakaliki said it would require joint efforts from regulatory agencies to salvage the country’s health sector from the dangers of quackery and other unethical conducts.
Obini listed some of the agencies to include the Nigerian Medical and Dental Council, Pharmaceutical Council of Nigeria and the National Food and Drugs Administration and Control.
He said the country’s health system had suffered a setback due to lack of discipline among health professionals as well as infiltration of the sector by unqualified and non-dedicated personnel.
The pharmacist also blamed fake and expired drugs on lack of commitment by some regulatory bodies which, he said, had failed to enforce the extant laws against unwholesome practices.
He said there was increasing loss of confidence in the nation’s health system as reflected in many Nigerians seeking treatments abroad for minor ailments.
According to him, “There seems to be a vote of no confidence by the people on the Nigeria medical system as more and more people now travel overseas for common ailments that can be handled here in Nigeria. Many Nigerians now visit Indian, Egyptian and European hospitals for treatment of minor illnesses that can be treated here in Nigeria.
“This indeed is not good for the development of our medical sector. It is a challenge to all and sundry. “It is also regrettable that some health and medical professionals, instead of showing passion for saving lives which they swore an oath to do, engage in sharp practices that contradict their oath. “This ugly situation is no doubt affecting the overall development of the health sector leading to loss of faith and panic by patients and their relatives,” he said.
Obini called for training and retraining of medical and health personnel and workers in regulatory bodies to enhance their efficiency.