Reps probe sharp practices, irregularities in FCT health institutions

The House of Representatives yesterday mandated its Committee on the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to investigate alleged sharp practices and irregularities plaguing public health institutions in the FCT and report within two weeks for further legislative action. This followed the adoption of a motion moved by Rep Mohammed Auwal Jatau. Moving the motion, the lawmaker […]

The House of Representatives yesterday mandated its Committee on the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to investigate alleged sharp practices and irregularities plaguing public health institutions in the FCT and report within two weeks for further legislative action.

This followed the adoption of a motion moved by Rep Mohammed Auwal Jatau.

Moving the motion, the lawmaker expressed concerns that the management of public health institutions in the Federal Capital Territory rather than strengthening the institutions for sustainability, engages in sharp practices where supplied drugs and medical facilities are misused or converted to personal use, thereby letting patients bear the brunt.

He also told the House that patients in public health institutions in the FCT are compelled to donate blood for transfusion and pay heavily for laboratory tests, regardless of whether the blood is utilized or not for the purpose.

Rep Jatau alleged that most of the drugs purchased by patients within the hospitals were attested to be substandard and expensive as the pharmacists in collaboration with the public healthcare institutions diverted the standard drugs, hospital facilities and modern equipment to private clinics, while the hospitals remained neglected without government’s intervention.