The Kano State Private Health Institution Management Agency (PHIMA) has shut down four medicine patent facilities in Rogo Local Government Area for operating illegally and failing to comply with the agency’s regulations.
This action is part of ongoing efforts to sanitize the healthcare sector across the state.
The Director General of PHIMA, Professor Salisu Tofa, led a team of inspectors on Friday to the affected facilities, where various breaches of healthcare laws were discovered.
Represented by a Director at the agency, Abdussalam Zarewa, Prof. Tofa emphasized that the exercise was crucial to ensuring the proper regulation of health services in Kano State.
According to Prof. Tofa, the four facilities were found to be offering critical health services, including blood transfusions, blood tests, and the administration of drips, without the necessary authorization or laboratory facilities.
These actions were deemed a violation of the agency’s laws and the Pharmaceutical Council of Nigeria’s regulations, which require health facilities to be properly registered and equipped before conducting such services.
“The facilities are operating illegally, which is against the laws of the agency. Therefore, we have decided to close them down to serve as a deterrent to others,” Prof. Tofa stated.
He further explained that the proprietors of the affected facilities were directed to register with PHIMA and pay a compliance fee of N50,000 to avoid further punitive actions. Failure to comply would result in permanent closure.
Additionally, Maigayya Clinic and Maternity in Yanoko Fulatan Ward was issued a warning to appear before PHIMA or face the risk of closure.
During the inspection, the proprietors of the closed facilities acknowledged their non-compliance and pledged to visit PHIMA’s office to address the necessary registration procedures. This admission highlights the challenge of ensuring that private health institutions meet regulatory standards to safeguard the well-being of patients across Kano State.
PHIMA’s enforcement actions are part of broader efforts to ensure that healthcare providers operate within the law, prioritizing patient safety and the quality of medical services. The agency has vowed to continue its crackdown on illegal health facilities as part of a larger agenda to improve the healthcare sector and protect citizens from substandard and unregulated medical practices.
This closure follows similar moves by health authorities in other parts of the country, where concerns have been raised about the proliferation of unregistered health facilities providing potentially dangerous medical services without proper oversight.
Do you want to share a story with us? Do you want to advertise with us? Do you need publicity for a product, service, or event? Contact us on WhatsApp +2348183319097 Email: platformtimes@gmail.com
We are committed to impactful investigative journalism for human interest and social justice. Your donation will help us tell more stories. Kindly donate any amount HERE
