Adamawa: Assembly Identifies 19 Illegal Colleges Of Health Science, Sets Up Committee To Probe Operations

By Ayodele Oni

THE Adamawa State House of Assembly has expressed dismay over existence of too many colleges of health science in the state which did not get official approval.

It was observed that some of them operate in primary school buildings and produce half baked health officials running health centres in the state.

The assembly has therefore set in motion machinery to probe the alleged establishment of 19 colleges of health without due process across the state.

The Assembly launched an investigation into the operations of the said colleges, mandating that its Committee on Health and that on Education jointly investigate the operation of the institutions.

The committees were directed to investigate the minimum standard of operation, the courses being offered, and whether or not they secured approval or a licence from relevant authorities to operate.

The committees were given two weeks to complete their investigation and hand in a report.

The resolution to probe the colleges emanated from a matter of urgent public importance sponsored by the member representing Mubi South Constituency, Yohanna Jauro, who raised the issue of the proliferation of colleges of health owned by individuals who, according to him, use public structures to train their students.

“The colleges do not have facilities; hence, the decision of most of them to use primary schools for training, alleging that most of them do not have operational certification nor the required facilities and manpower to operate.

“It was uncovered during a workshop recently that several women die during childbirth in the state due to quackery or lack of professional qualification of personnel.’

He prayed the assembly to treat the matter with urgency as any matter of public health should not be taken lightly.

Agreeing with him, the member representing Toungo Constituency, Kefas Calvin, said the matter has a direct bearing on the lives of the public, hence the need to handle it with all seriousness.

On his part, the member representing Nasarawo Binyeri Constituency, Babangida Njidda, said that half-baked or poorly trained personnel expose patients to danger.