Ekiti Unveils Proposal To Combat Quackery, Raise Healthcare Standards

The government of Ekiti State has started the process of passing legislation to purify the medical field, with an emphasis on doing away with quackery, particularly in the realm of maternity and pediatric care.

The Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr. Oyebanji Filani, stated that the state government had forwarded a bill to this effect to the State House of Assembly.

Filani, according to a statement from the State Ministry of Health and Human Services in Ado Ekiti on Tuesday, made this known on Saturday during a health sector stakeholders’ program tagged ‘One-Day Dissemination Event: From Data to Policy to Action’.

He urged residents to make use of public healthcare facilities, including general hospitals and primary healthcare centers, which are well-equipped and staffed, rather than seeking treatment from unqualified practitioners.

Filani said, “We currently have a bill before the House of Assembly to establish a standard accreditation and quality of care plan. Once it becomes law, it will provide us with the necessary legal framework to manage and eliminate any remaining forms of quackery in the state.

“There has been a significant decline in the number of people avoiding our primary healthcare centers (PHCs). More women now trust government health institutions for safe delivery, which is a notable improvement.

“Our responsibility as a government is to continue supporting and creating an enabling environment for residents to access our healthcare facilities while effectively communicating our efforts to the public.”

Filani noted that assessments conducted from early to late 2024 indicated a general improvement in the utilization of public healthcare facilities in the state.

“For instance, in 2024, we recorded an almost 96 percent increase in outpatient attendance at our general hospitals and PHCs. Additionally, the number of women delivering in our facilities has risen significantly. These improvements reflect the impact of Governor Biodun Oyebanji’s initiatives in the health sector, particularly the Ulerawa Health Insurance Programme.”

He added, “We have ensured that the 3.6 million residents of Ekiti State are now fully covered under the Ulerawa Health Insurance Programme, which guarantees them access to a defined package of services at our PHCs.

“Last year alone, just under 400,000 out of the 3.6 million population utilized the Ulerawa program’s services. As more residents seek healthcare, they can easily access these services in our hospitals and facilities.

“Beyond that, we have also introduced community influencers known as the Ekiti Health Vanguards. These individuals engage with every pregnant woman in the state, ensuring we know where they are when they need care and how to encourage them to use PHCs.”

Filani concluded by reaffirming the government’s commitment to improving healthcare accessibility and quality across the state.