The Adamawa State House of Assembly has begun investigating the alleged establishment of 19 colleges of health without proper procedures being followed.
The Assembly asked its Committee on Health and its Committee on Education to work together to investigate the operations of the alleged colleges, including whether they are operating according to minimum standards, what courses they are offering, and whether they have been granted approval or licenses by the relevant authorities to operate.
A resolution to investigate the colleges was passed after it was brought up as a matter of urgent public importance by Yohanna Jauro, the member representing Mubi South Constituency.
Mr. Jauro raised concerns about the proliferation of colleges of health that are owned by individuals, who he said are using public structures to train their students.
He expressed concerns about the lack of oversight and regulation of these colleges, and the Assembly voted to launch an investigation into their operations.
The committees were given two weeks to complete their investigation and submit a report.
“The colleges do not have facilities; hence, the decision of most of them to use primary schools for training,” he said, 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 said, praying 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.