A bill proposing the establishment of an agency to combat quackery in the health sector in Benue State has passed its second reading at the parliament.

The debate was led by Douglas Akya (APC/Makurdi South) during Thursday’s plenary session in Makurdi.

Mr Akya confined his comments to the overall merits and principles of the bill, adhering to parliamentary procedure.

He explained that the bill aimed to create a dedicated agency to eradicate quackery in healthcare, addressing the urgent need to curb the growing menace of unqualified individuals posing as health professionals.

“These individuals endanger lives and undermine the integrity and effectiveness of the healthcare system,” Mr Akya said.

He emphasised that reliance on temporary task forces to address the problem had proven inadequate, reactive, and unsustainable.

Mr Akya said, “There is an urgent need for a dedicated, autonomous, and permanent agency empowered by law to combat quackery comprehensively and consistently.”

Mr Akya highlighted the prevalence of fake doctors, unlicensed pharmacists, substandard clinics, and herbal practitioners operating outside professional ethics and regulatory standards in Benue State.

“These quacks are untrained individuals posing as health professionals, providing services that put the public at serious risk through wrong diagnoses and treatments,” he stated.

He further explained that quacks exploited the ignorance and poverty of rural communities, undermining trust in qualified medical practitioners.

The lawmaker criticised current approaches relying on occasional task forces as insufficient, noting that such groups were often ad hoc, poorly funded, politically influenced, and lacked enforcement powers.

He stated that the proposed agency would have the authority to identify, investigate, and prosecute individuals and entities that offer healthcare services without proper qualifications or licenses.

He added it would also collaborate with professional bodies such as the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria, the Nursing and Midwifery Council, and the Pharmaceutical Council.

The motion was seconded by Simon Gabo (APC/Mata), who acknowledged the bill’s importance but stressed it should serve as a wake-up call for those responsible for tackling quackery.

Mr Abu Edoh (APC/Agatu) also supported the bill, calling it timely and emphasising the need for public advocacy to discourage patronage of quacks.

The speaker, Hyacinth Dajoh, directed the clerk of the parliament, John Hwande, to read the bill for the second time.

Following this, the bill was referred to the House Standing Committee on Health and Human Services for further processing, with a report expected in the first week of September.

(NAN)