A bill seeking to establish an agency dedicated to eradicating quackery in Benue State’s health sector has passed second reading at the State House of Assembly.
Leading the debate during Thursday’s plenary in Makurdi, Mr. Douglas Akya (APC/Makurdi South) said the bill aims to create a permanent legal framework to tackle the increasing threat of unqualified individuals posing as health professionals.
“These individuals endanger lives and erode public confidence in the healthcare system,” Akya stated. He stressed that temporary task forces had proven reactive, unsustainable, and ineffective in addressing the problem.
“There is an urgent need for a dedicated, autonomous, and legally empowered agency to deal with this menace consistently,” he said.
According to Akya, the proliferation of fake doctors, unlicensed pharmacists, and substandard clinics in the state particularly in rural areas poses a serious threat to public health. He explained that many quacks exploit the vulnerability of low-income communities, delivering unregulated and often harmful treatments.
Highlighting the limitations of the current enforcement model, Akya argued that ad hoc task forces lack the continuity, resources, and legal power to bring offenders to justice.
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Under the proposed legislation, the new agency would be authorised to identify, investigate, and prosecute anyone practicing without proper qualifications or licenses. It would also work closely with regulatory bodies such as the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria, the Nursing and Midwifery Council, and the Pharmaceutical Council of Nigeria.
The motion was seconded by Mr. Simon Gabo (APC/Mata), who called for stricter accountability among stakeholders responsible for curbing quackery.
Also backing the bill, Mr. Abu Edoh (APC/Agatu) described it as “timely,” and urged for widespread public sensitisation to discourage patronage of unqualified health practitioners.
Speaker Hyacinth Dajoh directed the Clerk, Mr. John Hwande, to read the bill a second time and referred it to the House Standing Committee on Health and Human Services. The committee is expected to submit its report in the first week of September.
