The Nasarawa State House of Assembly has urged health training institutions within the state to issue certificates only to graduates who have completed comprehensive training and met all required qualifications.
The House stressed that this directive ensures a capable healthcare workforce equipped to tackle the state’s growing public health challenges.
Chairman of the House Committee on Health, Mr Larry Ven-Bawa, made the call in Lafia on Friday during a first-quarter budget review session with heads of health institutions.
Among those present were representatives from the College of Nursing Sciences, Lafia; the College of Health Science and Technology, Keffi; the Hospital Management Board, Lafia; and the Nasarawa State Infectious Disease and Research Centre, Lafia.
Ven-Bawa raised concerns about the rising number of unqualified medical personnel operating with fake certificates and licences in the state’s hospitals, describing it as a serious threat to public health.
“The matter of life and death is not one to take lightly. As a state, we cannot stand by while our people are endangered by unqualified health workers,” he said.
He instructed the institutions to ensure certificates are awarded only to candidates who have duly completed their training. He also warned that anyone found complicit in issuing fraudulent certifications would face disciplinary action, regardless of their status.
“I urge you to sanitise the system and maintain the standards your institutions are known for in producing qualified health professionals,” he added.
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Ven-Bawa also commended Governor Abdullahi Sule for prioritising healthcare in the state and praised the efforts of the Hospital Management Board, pledging continued legislative support for improved service delivery.
Responding, heads of the institutions reiterated their commitment to maintaining high standards.
Mr Zari Solomon, Provost of the College of Nursing Sciences, Lafia, appreciated the committee’s support, noting that it had contributed to the college’s recently granted autonomy. He pledged to uphold the institution’s standards.
Suleiman Muhammad, Provost of the College of Health Science and Technology, Keffi, affirmed the college’s dedication to quality training and stated that its integrity would not be compromised.
Dr Edogo Egba, Chief Medical Director of the Hospital Management Board, highlighted a shortage of doctors, particularly in general hospitals, as a pressing issue. He added that the state government was actively working to address the shortfall.
Dr Dangana George, Director-General of the Nasarawa State Infectious Disease and Research Centre, assured the Assembly of the centre’s continued commitment to improving public health across the state.
