The Anambra State Government has called on the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) to support its efforts to eradicate quacks and unregistered health facilities in the state.
The state commissioner for health, Dr Adam Obidike, made the appeal during the closing ceremony of 2026 Physicians Week and Scientific Conference of Nigerian Medical Association, Awka Zone in Awka on Sunday.
The theme of the Week, Luncheon and Award Presentation Ceremony was “Securing the Future of Medicine in Nigeria and Sub-Saharan Africa.”
He said the NMA was a critical partner and that the government would collaborate with the association in the area of tracking fake and unregistered facilities.
According to him, Anambra State will work with the NMA to help it identify people who are not health professionals yet practising medicine in the state.
He stated, “We are determined to shut all of them down because when people go there, they receive treatment that is not proper for their ailment. We have a checklist and anybody who wants to set up a facility should go to the department of medical services and get the conditions including the design of the building.”
In his welcome address, Chairman of NMA, Awka Zone, Prof. Tim-Uzoma Mbaeri, said this year’s Physicians Week and Scientific Conference was a time to celebrate the profession and reconnect members.
Mr Mbaeri said the association used the event to reach out to visit sick colleagues, provide free laboratory tests including prostate specific antigens testing, urinalysis among others.
Mr Mbaeri expressed appreciation to members and partners of the NMA, Awka branch, whose contributions ensured the success of the physicians’ week.
“We also enjoyed a novelty football match, had an opportunity for friendship, recreation, and strong inter-agency relationships.
“We find satisfaction not merely in the event we organised in the lives we have touched, the colleagues we have encouraged, the relationships we have strengthened and the visibility we have given to our profession,” he said.
Mr Mbaeri said three personalities were honoured with awards of meritorious service to the medical profession and the NMA including Dr Ifeoma Njelita, Dr Emmanuel Umenweke and Dr Amaka Ezeno.
Ms Njelita is an associate professor and a consultant in Community Medicine at the Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital.
Mr Umenweke, a medical doctor with the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Medical Center, Awka while Ezeno, the third awardee is a lawyer, notary public and member of Body of Benchers.
(NAN)