The Anambra State Ministry of Health has directed all mortuary owners and operators across the state to register their facilities and renew expired licences in line with the state’s Public Health Law.
The directive was issued in a public notice signed by the Director of Medical Services, Dr. Chukwulobelu Ugochukwu, on behalf of the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Afam Obidike. It requires all unregistered mortuaries currently operating in the state to immediately begin the registration process.
The ministry also instructed mortuary facilities with expired or due registrations to regularise their status without delay. It further stated that hospitals operating mortuary services must register such units separately, regardless of their hospital registration status.
According to the notice, the move is part of the state government’s healthcare reform agenda aimed at sanitising the health sector, improving regulatory oversight, and ensuring compliance with public health standards. It added that the initiative would help curb illegal practices and improve disease control during outbreaks.
The ministry gave affected operators until June 5 to complete registration and licence renewal, warning that full enforcement and inspection exercises would begin after the deadline, with sanctions to be imposed on defaulters.
