By Samson Obande,  Lafia

The Nasarawa State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Gaza Gwamna, has described the Nasarawa State Private Health Facilities and Institutions Regulatory Agency, NASPHFIRA, as a heart agency to the ministry.

He stated this during a familiarization visit by Dr. Nana Awaya Emeribe, Executive Secretary of NASPHFIRA, and her team on Tuesday.

Dr. Emeribe, who introduced the agency’s organizational structure to the commissioner, said the visit was aimed at fostering collaboration among ministries, agencies and relevant stakeholders for seamless operations.

Congratulating Dr. Emeribe on her appointment as pioneer Executive Secretary, Commissioner Gwamna said the new agency bears significant responsibility.

“Let me congratulate all of you; this is a new agency, and as pioneers, you bear a significant responsibility. The agency will reflect who you all are,” he stated.

Gwamna stressed the importance of unity, teamwork and sportsmanship in achieving the agency’s objectives, noting that success can only be realized if leadership fosters collaboration.

He warned against self-interest, saying: “If the aim is merely personal gratification, it will lead to delays. Likewise, any hint of self-interest will set us back, and before you know it, your statutory four years will have elapsed.”

The commissioner acknowledged NASPHFIRA’s critical role in combating quackery in private healthcare facilities, urging the team to remain courageous in sanitizing the private health sector in the state.

“This agency is very dear to me. If anyone misbehaves, I would wish if I have the power to remove them immediately, as we aim to achieve a lot in a short time,” he stressed.

He further encouraged the NASPHFIRA team to focus on exemplary achievements that would make them notable for positive transformations within the health sector.

Earlier, Dr. Emeribe said the Ministry of Health serves as the umbrella organisation for NASPHFIRA, describing the visit as a homecoming to seek the Commissioner’s guidance and advice for its initiatives.