By Emeka Chiaghanam
State Commissioner for Health, Dr Afam Obidike, has
ordered all health workers across Anambra State to henceforth wear clear name
tags while attending to patients in all government health facilities.
He gave the directive in Awka during a press briefing to
mark World Hypertension Day, a global health event focused on raising awareness
about the prevention and control of high blood pressure.
Dr Obidike said the move is aimed at improving
accountability, professionalism and patient safety in the health system,
stressing that patients must be able to identify those treating them at all
times.
He explained that proper identification would help build
trust between health workers and patients, reduce confusion in hospitals, and
discourage impersonation within the system.
The directive applies to all categories of health workers,
including doctors, nurses, pharmacists, laboratory scientists and support
staff, with no exemptions.
He also warned that heads of health facilities will be held
responsible for ensuring strict compliance in their various institutions.
“The era of anonymous health service is over,” he said.
“Every patient has the right to know who is attending to them. This is about
trust, safety and responsibility.”
Dr Obidike added that the Ministry of Health is committed to building a more transparent and people-focused healthcare system across the state.
Link
to Hypertension Awareness Campaign
The commissioner said the directive also ties into ongoing
activities marking World Hypertension Day in Anambra State.
He noted that the government is intensifying awareness
campaigns on high blood pressure, describing it as one of the most dangerous
health conditions because many people live with it without knowing.
According to him, residents are being encouraged to check
their blood pressure regularly to detect problems early and avoid complications
such as stroke, kidney failure and heart disease.
He urged the public to take advantage of free blood pressure
screening services available in government hospitals and primary healthcare
centres across the state.
Dr Obidike further disclosed that monitoring teams would
soon be deployed to health facilities to ensure full enforcement of the name tag
directive.
Call
for Routine Health Checks
Also speaking at the briefing, the Permanent Secretary of
the Ministry of Health, Dr Obiageli Uchebo, said the theme of this year’s
campaign, “Know Your Numbers,” is a reminder for people to take routine health
checks seriously.
She encouraged health workers to act as role models by
promoting regular screening and healthy living among residents.
Dr Uchebo said early detection and awareness remain key tools in reducing deaths linked to hypertension and other non-communicable diseases.
Officials
in Attendance
The briefing was attended by the Director of Public Health,
Dr Afam Aneme, who thanked the commissioner and praised ministry staff for
their dedication and commitment to building a healthier, stronger Anambra
State. Also present was Director of Administration, Ekene Ilozumba, and other
officials of the Ministry of Health.
The Ministry said the new directive forms part of wider
reforms aimed at improving transparency, safety and trust in healthcare
delivery across Anambra State.
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