Anambra Moves to Strengthen Mortuary Regulation, Introduces New SOP and Mandatory Training
By Stanley Nwako
The Anambra State Government has announced far-reaching measures aimed at strengthening the regulation of mortuary services across the state through the introduction of a comprehensive Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), mandatory registration of facilities, routine inspections and training programmes for mortuary attendants.
The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Afam Obidike, said this during a meeting with mortuary owners and operators, stating that the government is determined to improve standards, promote accountability and eliminate irregularities in the management of mortuaries.
Dr. Obidike revealed that all mortuary attendants in the state will undergo training and retraining to equip them with the necessary knowledge and skills required for effective service delivery. He noted that the exercise would ensure that operators comply with approved guidelines and best practices in the handling of human remains.
The commissioner further announced that all mortuaries operating within the state must be independently registered with the Ministry of Health, warning that any facility operating without registration or approval would face prosecution. He also directed operators to submit regular reports and data on activities within their facilities to enhance monitoring and accountability.
According to Dr. Obidike, the state government has received several complaints regarding missing corpses, a development he attributed largely to poor documentation and inadequate record-keeping. He stressed that the government would no longer tolerate such incidents and would take decisive action against defaulting facilities.
He also urged operators of mortuaries located within government hospitals to renew their Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) and advised those with outstanding financial obligations to settle them promptly. He warned that facilities found violating regulations or operating below acceptable standards would face sanctions.
Providing further insight into the new framework, the Director of Medical Services, Dr. Ugochukwu Chukwulobelu, explained that the SOP was developed by the Department of Medical Services to establish clear standards for the registration, licensing, monitoring and regulation of mortuaries. He noted that the guidelines apply to public, private, faith-based, military, forensic and teaching hospital mortuaries across the state.
Dr. Chukwulobelu said that under the new guidelines, operators seeking registration must provide relevant documents, including CAC registration certificates, tax clearance certificates, professional credentials and evidence of payment.
He added that inspection teams would assess facilities based on infrastructure, staffing, refrigeration systems, infection prevention measures, waste management practices, safety provisions and documentation systems before licences are granted.
The Director of Medical Services further explained that licensed mortuaries would be subjected to periodic inspections, including quarterly and annual assessments, to ensure continuous compliance with established standards. He added that every mortuary would be required to maintain detailed records of body admissions, embalming procedures, storage, releases and other operational activities to guarantee transparency and traceability.
Contributing, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, Dr. Obiageli Uchebo, emphasized the importance of strict adherence to the new regulations, noting that the reforms would help strengthen oversight, improve service delivery and protect the interests of bereaved families.
She urged mortuary operators to cooperate fully with the Ministry and embrace the new measures as part of efforts to build a more efficient and accountable mortuary system in the state.
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