The Lagos State Government has warned quacks and unqualified applicants to stay clear of the ongoing health workers recruitment exercise being conducted by the Health Service Commission or risk arrest and possible jail term.
The Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Health Service Commission, Dr. Muyiwa Eniayewun, who made this known today after meeting with some shortlisted candidates ahead of their Computer Based Test at a CBT Centre in Maryland, Lagos, said that due diligence and investigation would be conducted on all applicants at every stage of the exercise, stressing that only qualified candidates would be employed.
He said: “The health sector is a sensitive sector where we cater for lives, as such, we have no tolerance for quackery and malpractices where human lives are involved. Any candidates who applied for any of the advertised positions and hoping to get employed with fake, forged or doctored credentials should rethink their decision and opt-out now, while they can or risk being caught and made to face the law”.
“Even after this exercise, we will continue with our due diligence for shortlisted and employed candidates. This is what we have been doing and will continue to do in collaboration with all the health professional bodies and associations and our regulatory agencies”.
Eniayewun also disclosed that the Health Service Commission, in partnership with various health professional bodies and associations, is currently carrying out professional staff audit and verification exercise for all health workers in the service as part of its zero tolerance for quackery and malpractices.
He noted that the exercise has been largely successful with reassuring results that have restored citizens’ confidence in the public health sector.
The Permanent Secretary disclosed that the State Government, through the professional audit and verification exercise, recently uncovered and arrested an employee, Ms. Olufunke Adegbenro, who was employed as a nurse and deployed to Isolo General Hospital three months ago by the Health Service Commission.
He explained that Adegbenro was caught during one of the audit and verification exercises carried out by HSC in partnership with National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives.
According to him: “Adegbenro has been practising with fake certificates and professional licenses. She forged a Bachelor of Nursing degree from Ladoke Akintola University Ogbomosho, a National Youth Service discharge certificate, a registered Nurse Certificate and practising license of Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria”.
“Her appointment has been terminated and she has been handed over to the Nigeria Police Force for further investigation and prosecution. We hope this will serve as a deterrent to other quacks”, Eniayewun said.
While assuring that the Health Service Commission will continue to ensure that only qualified persons are employed and deployed to State-owned health facilities, the Permanent Secretary said that government will not relent in its efforts at providing quality healthcare services to teeming Lagosians through highly motivated professionals.
“There is no hiding place for quacks and unqualified health workers in Lagos State, because we are more determined now more than ever to fish and flush them out”, he said.
