The Kwara State government has closed an illegal private mortuary located in the Gaa-Akanbi area of Ilorin to enforce compliance with health standards.

Commissioner for Health, Amina El-Imam, stated that the facility, commonly known as ‘Omosebi,’ is not registered with the Ministry of Health as a legitimate mortuary service provider. She emphasized the importance of maintaining standards of care for both the living and the deceased population.

Elaborating on the decision, she stressed the need to uphold the dignity of the deceased and prevent the spread of infectious diseases due to inadequate management of remains. The facility failed to meet the required standards, prompting the government’s intervention.

In response, Musiliu Odunaiya, the director of medical services and training in the state health ministry, directed the morgue handlers to report to the Ministry of Health Headquarters at Fate for further assessment and resolution of pertinent issues. This step aims to ensure the safety of the facility for public use.

Odunaiya urged the public to utilize government-owned facilities for the safe custody of their loved ones’ remains, where adherence to regulatory standards is guaranteed.

The closure of the unregistered mortuary underscores the government’s commitment to safeguarding public health and upholding regulatory standards in the mortuary services sector.