Anambra Introduces New Mortuary Regulations, Mandatory Training for Operators
|By Chibuzor Okoye (ABS Health Correspondent)
The Anambra State Government has introduced a new Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for mortuary services as part of measures to strengthen regulation, improve accountability and eliminate irregularities in the management of mortuaries across the state.
The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Afam Obidike, announced the reforms during a meeting with mortuary owners and operators, saying all mortuary attendants would undergo mandatory training and retraining to improve service delivery and ensure compliance with approved guidelines for handling human remains.
Obidike said all mortuaries operating in the state must register independently with the Ministry of Health, warning that unregistered facilities would face prosecution.
He also directed operators to submit regular reports on activities in their facilities to improve monitoring and accountability.
The commissioner said the government had received several complaints about missing corpses, attributing the incidents largely to poor documentation.
"The state government has received several complaints regarding missing corpses, a development largely caused by poor documentation. Government will no longer tolerate such incidents," he said.
He also directed operators of mortuaries within government hospitals to renew their Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) and urged those with outstanding financial obligations to settle them promptly, warning that facilities operating below approved standards would be sanctioned.
The Director of Medical Services, Dr. Ugochukwu Chukwulobelu, said the new SOP was developed by the Department of Medical Services to provide clear guidelines for the registration, licensing, monitoring and regulation of mortuaries across the state.
According to him, the regulations apply to public, private, faith-based, military, forensic and teaching hospital mortuaries.
"The guidelines establish clear standards for the registration, licensing, monitoring and regulation of mortuaries across the state," Chukwulobelu said.
He explained that operators seeking registration would be required to present Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) registration certificates, tax clearance certificates, professional credentials and evidence of payment.
Chukwulobelu added that inspection teams would assess facilities based on infrastructure, staffing, refrigeration systems, infection prevention measures, waste management practices, safety provisions and documentation before licences are issued.
Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, Dr. Obiageli Uchebo, said strict compliance with the new regulations would strengthen oversight, improve service delivery and protect the interests of bereaved families.
She urged mortuary operators to cooperate fully with the ministry in implementing the reforms aimed at building a more efficient and accountable mortuary system in Anambra State.
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