North-West States to Close Unlicensed Health Schools

The seven North-West states of Nigeria, including Kano, Kaduna, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto, Jigawa, and Zamfara, have committed to shutting down any private health training institutions that do not comply with legal requirements. This initiative was announced by Dr Abdullahi Kainuwa, the Chairman of the Northwestern States Commissioners of Health Forum and Jigawa State Commissioner of Health, during a stakeholder engagement on Wednesday at the Jigawa State Ministry of Health in Dutse.

Dr Kainuwa emphasized the need to eliminate substandard schools producing unqualified health workers, stating that any institution failing to meet legal standards would be closed without hesitation. He noted that a joint monitoring team would be deployed across the states to inspect facilities and ensure compliance.

The move aims to address public complaints regarding the lack of basic clinical skills among graduates from some private schools. Isa Surajo, Chairman of the Taskforce on Private Health Training Institutions, reiterated the taskforce's mandate to inspect and verify compliance without sentiment.