The Association of Community Health Practitioners of Nigeria (ACHPN), Kaduna State chapter, has expressed deep concern over the rising number of illegal private colleges of health technology operating across Kaduna State.
Addressing a press conference in Kaduna on Wednesday, the chairman of ACHPN, Kaduna state chapter, Comrade Aliyu Abdulrasheed Umar, noted that only 25 schools or colleges of health technology are operating legally against over 60 illegal schools.
He warned that the operations of these mushroom schools pose a serious threat to public health and professional standards within the community health sector.
“As of today, we have only 25 schools that are recognised. Over 60 schools or colleges of health technology are operating without accreditation by the board. Posing a serious health challenge.
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“These schools are claiming to train Community Health Practitioners without approval from the Community Health Practitioners Registration Board of Nigeria (CHPRBN).
“We have identified several illegal institutions across various Local Government Areas, misleading the public and producing unqualified personnel. This act promotes quackery and undermines the quality of health care delivery in our communities,” he said.
The association has submitted a comprehensive list of unaccredited schools to the Kaduna State Ministry of Health and Ministry of Education, urging immediate action to: checkmate and close the illegal institutions in collaboration with security agencies and Local Government Councils.
The chairman also said they advised the ministry to publish the list of duly recognised and accredited health institutions in the state and restrict clinical training in public health facilities to students from approved institutions only.
Umar also called on parents and guardians to verify the accreditation status of any school before enrolling their wards to avoid wasting time and resources on unrecognised programmes.
“ACHPN remains committed to safeguarding the integrity of the Community Health profession and will continue to work with the Ministry of Health and CHRN to ensure only qualified practitioners serve the people of Kaduna State,” he added.
The association further appealed to the media to help sensitise the public on the dangers of patronising unaccredited schools and the need to uphold professional health standards.
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