The Anambra State Ministry of Health has begun arrests of operators of unregistered mortuaries in the state.
The development was contained in a public notice issued by the Director of Medical Services, Dr Chukwulobelu Ugochukwu, on behalf of the Commissioner for Health, Dr Afam Obidike, on Monday.
In it, the government directed all proprietors and operators of mortuaries to register their facilities and renew expired licences in line with the Public Health Law of the state.
According to the notice, all mortuaries in the state are to register with the Directorate of Medical Services immediately.
The ministry in the statement directed mortuary facilities with expired registrations or those due for renewal to regularise their status without delay.
It stated that hospitals providing mortuary services should register their mortuary units independently, regardless of the registration status of the hospitals themselves.
The ministry explained that the exercise forms part of the state government’s healthcare reform agenda aimed at sanitising and strengthening the healthcare sector.
“The ministry is updating its database of registered mortuary facilities across the state to enhance monitoring, regulation and compliance with public health regulations.
“Affected operators are given until June 5 to complete their registration and licence renewal processes.
“Full enforcement and inspection exercises will commence across the state after the deadline, with appropriate sanctions imposed on defaulters and illegally operating facilities in accordance with the law,” the statement read partly.
