Anambra Introduces Accreditation Stickers to Expose Quacks, Verify Genuine Health Facilities
The Anambra State Government has introduced official Health Facility Accreditation Stickers to help residents identify licensed healthcare providers and protect the public from quack medical practitioners.
The directive, issued by the State Ministry of Health, requires all government approved healthcare facilities across the state to prominently display the accreditation stickers as part of efforts to strengthen healthcare regulation, improve patient safety and restore public confidence in the health sector.
The State Commissioner for Health, Dr Afam Obidike, announced the development during a statewide health facility accreditation exercise conducted on July 24.
Dr Obidike said the initiative was designed to ensure that only licensed and government approved healthcare facilities operate in Anambra State, thereby giving residents better access to safe, quality and comprehensive healthcare services.
According to him, the accreditation sticker will serve as a visible identification mark for healthcare facilities that have met the regulatory standards of the Ministry of Health, making it easier for members of the public to distinguish genuine facilities from unlicensed operators.
He disclosed that private hospitals, maternity homes, medical laboratories, dental clinics and other healthcare establishments are required to renew their operational licences and accreditation annually.
The Commissioner explained that only facilities that successfully meet the prescribed standards will be issued the official sticker, which must be displayed in a conspicuous location where patients and visitors can easily see it.
He further disclosed that each sticker contains a unique QR code through which members of the public can verify the accreditation status of a healthcare facility using a smartphone.
The sticker also contains the official contact details of the Ministry of Health, allowing residents to lodge complaints and report suspected cases of quackery.
> “This initiative will help eliminate quackery and ensure that only qualified and licensed healthcare providers offer medical services in the state,” Dr Obidike said.
The Commissioner reaffirmed Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s commitment to building a healthcare system anchored on quality service delivery, professionalism and accountability.
Also speaking during the exercise, the Director of Medical Services in the Ministry of Health, Dr Ugochukwu Chukwulobelu, said the accreditation programme was aimed at strengthening healthcare regulation by ensuring that health facilities comply with established professional and legal standards before receiving approval to operate.
He explained that inspection teams assess healthcare facilities based on critical areas including infrastructure, availability of medical equipment, staffing, infection prevention and control, waste management, emergency preparedness and proper record keeping.
Dr Chukwulobelu assured that the Ministry would continue with routine monitoring and inspections to ensure that accredited facilities maintain the required standards.
The initiative is expected to give residents a simple way to verify healthcare providers before seeking treatment, while strengthening the state’s ongoing efforts to improve the quality, safety and accountability of healthcare delivery across Anambra State.
