Jigawa State sets up team to tackle poor private health institutions

The Jigawa State Ministry of Health has started a campaign against illegal and poor private health institutions in the state. They say unaccredited institutions are a direct risk to public safety.

At a meeting with heads of health training institutions in Dutse, Abdullahi Kainuwa, who is the Chairman of the North-West Health Commissioners’ Forum and the Jigawa State Commissioner of Health, announced the formation of a special Taskforce Committee on Private Health Institutions.

Mr Kainuwa explained that the committee's job is to make sure health institutions follow the rules and to close any that do not meet the legal standards.

“The forum knows about the illegal activities and poor conditions in many private health institutions, and we will not accept this anymore,” Mr Kainuwa, a medical doctor, said.

He added, “Any school that does not meet the required standards will be shut down by the committee. This enforcement will happen at the same time across all seven North-West states. Any owner who moves from Jigawa to set up their institution in another state will also face action.”

The Commissioner raised concerns about the bad conditions seen in many unaccredited schools. He pointed out that some of these schools operate without proper buildings, qualified full-time teachers, adequate laboratories, or basic clinical training tools.

While he recognized that private businesses help improve public education, Mr Kainuwa stressed that quality cannot be compromised when lives are involved.

“We understand that the government cannot take all candidates, and there is a real need for private institutions. But any school that claims to be a health school must truly deserve that name,” he stated.

Mr Kainuwa mentioned that the penalties will not only affect the schools but also any corrupt or careless regulators.

“We will investigate any regulatory body that gives approvals without checking the facilities, teachers, and equipment. Anyone found guilty of giving out improper licenses will be fired.”

Mr Kainuwa noted that every year, thousands of secondary school graduates compete for limited spaces in accredited public universities, nursing schools, and health technology colleges.

This shortage has led to a fast rise in private health training schools, many of which operate as unregistered businesses without links to regulatory bodies like the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN) or the Community Health Practitioners Registration Board of Nigeria.

He said these unregulated schools produce poorly trained health workers. These workers end up in clinics, maternity homes, and pharmacies, leading to misdiagnoses, medical mistakes, and poor patient care.

He explained that the northeastern states under the North-West Health Commissioners’ Forum task force are working together to ensure better oversight and public safety.

In his speech, Isa Surajo, who is the chairperson of the Taskforce and a technical adviser to the governor on health, shared the government’s plans for the Taskforce's work.

This plan aims to ensure fairness and justice for schools, parents, and the community.

“As the protector of the people, the government is dedicated to maintaining dignity, trust, and fairness among all players in Jigawa State’s healthcare system,” Mr Surajo said.