The Kwara State Ministry of Health took decisive action on Thursday by shutting down an illegal private mortuary located in Ilorin, the state capital. The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Amina Ahmed El-Imam, issued the closure order during an unannounced inspection of the facility, known as Omosebi, situated in the Ga Akanbi area of Ilorin metropolis.
Dr. El-Imam emphasized that the closure was necessary to ensure adherence to care standards for the people of Kwara State, both living and deceased. The commissioner highlighted that the ‘Omosebi’ facility was operating without registration as a mortuary service provider, stressing the importance of maintaining the dignity of the deceased and preventing the spread of infectious diseases due to substandard management of their remains.
Following the official closure, Dr. El-Imam spoke to journalists, underscoring the significance of upholding proper standards for the deceased. She stated, “It is important to preserve the dignity of our dead ones and ensure that infectious diseases do not reach the living from poor management of their remains; this facility does not meet the required standard.”
Accompanying the Commissioner were the Permanent Secretary, Directors from the state Ministry of Health, and an officer from the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps. Dr. Musiliu Odunaiya, the Director of Medical Services and Training, mandated the morgue handlers to report to the state Ministry of Health headquarters.
Dr. Odunaiya urged the public to utilize government-owned facilities for the safe custody of their loved ones’ remains, emphasizing the importance of ensuring their wellbeing even after death.
