Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State has taken a decisive step towards ensuring the delivery of top-notch healthcare services by inaugurating the State Monitoring Committee of the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN). The MDCN serves as the regulatory body for Medicine, Dentistry, and Alternative Medicine in Nigeria.
The 5-member committee was officially inaugurated on Thursday, December 1, 2022, at the Government House in Benin City. As per statutory provisions, the State Committee has been entrusted with the crucial responsibility of ensuring that medical, dental, and alternative medicine practitioners in the state adhere to approved guidelines and standards.
Highlighting the government’s commitment to providing quality healthcare services, Governor Obaseki stated that the role of the government is not just to offer care but also to regulate those who provide it.
He said, “It is our duty to take care of, supply, and guarantee that the greatest healthcare services are available to our people. That does not imply that the care must be given by the government.
“In order to guarantee that our people and citizens receive the best care possible, the government must now regulate those who provide that care. Additionally, care providers will be forced to carry out the tasks necessary to deliver the high caliber of care that we in Edo State demand.
“Ethical behavior will be rewarded, and malpractices and unethical actions by healthcare providers will be appropriately addressed,”
He urged the committee members to give their best as they were carefully selected for the job.
The committee’s key responsibilities include ensuring that all individuals engaged in medical activities within Edo State are duly registered and licensed by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria.
Additionally, they are tasked with reporting cases of unethical practices and conduct to both the council and law enforcement agencies in the state.
Dr. Edward Aisowieren, Director of Medical Services at the Edo State Ministry of Health and Chairman of the committee, conveyed his gratitude to the Governor for the appointment and emphasized the Governor’s unwavering commitment to a well-regulated healthcare landscape in the state.
