The Kwara State Ministry of Health says it has launched a comprehensive crackdown to root out fraudulent practices and uphold the sanctity of medical documentation across the state.
The initiative comes in the wake of an undercover investigation conducted by investigative journalist Buhari Olanrewaju Ahmed, which exposed widespread malpractice in the issuance of medical certificates in government hospitals throughout Kwara State.
The report revealed instances of certificates being issued without proper tests or through unauthorized proxies, raising serious concerns about the integrity of the healthcare system.
Speaking on condition of anonymity, an insider from the Ministry of Health disclosed that numerous complaints had been received regarding unethical practices within government hospitals.
He added that these concerns were often overlooked or swept under the rug by hospital management until the investigative report brought them to light.
In response to the revelations, the Kwara State Hospital Management Board (KWSHMB), in collaboration with Health Commissioner Dr. Amina Ahmed El-Imam, says it has embarked on a rigorous campaign to apprehend those involved in the certificate racketeering scheme.
The board said stringent measures have been unveiled to combat counterfeiting and ensure transparency in the issuance of medical documents.
According to Chief Press Secretary Rafiu Ajakaiye, the fight against fraud extends beyond the healthcare sector and requires constant vigilance to safeguard the public interest.
He emphasized the importance of collective efforts to combat malpractice and maintain the integrity of essential services.
Ajakaiye outlined the steps taken by the authorities to address the issue, including empowering Chief Medical Directors (CMDs) to exclusively issue medical certificates, implementing strict identification protocols, and introducing serialized certificates with enhanced security features.
The latest measures, implemented by the Hospital Management Board on March 10, 2024, aim to tighten the system against counterfeiting and ensure that medical certificates are issued only through legitimate channels.
Monthly reports detailing certificates issued by each facility, along with comprehensive test reports, will be submitted to the authorities for scrutiny.
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