By Muhammad Amaan
The Federal Government of Nigeria has taken a crucial step towards establishing the National Healthcare Facility Regulatory Agency (NHFRA), a move aimed at bridging inconsistent standards and regulatory gaps.
For years, Nigeria’s healthcare sector has grappled with inconsistent standards and regulatory gaps, leading to disparities in the quality of care across public and private health facilities.
The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Iziaq Adekunle Salako, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to activating the recommendations of the Committee on the Establishment of NHFRA.
Speaking at the official presentation of the committee’s report, he emphasised that the proposed agency is not intended to replace existing professional bodies but to enhance regulatory oversight and support states in enforcing healthcare standards.
Dr Salako assured stakeholders that the recommendations would not be shelved, stressing that the government is keen on implementing them to improve Nigeria’s healthcare system.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Daju Kachollom, represented by Director of Food & Drugs, Pharmacist Olubunmi Aribeana, lauded the committee’s efforts, describing NHFRA as a visionary initiative.
Presenting the report, the committee chairman, Dr Richardson Ajayi, highlighted the agency’s alignment with Nigeria’s quest for Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
With a well-defined framework, resource mobilisation plan, and implementation strategy, NHFRA is poised to transform healthcare regulation in the country, ensuring that all facilities adhere to fundamental standards of care.
