PRIVATE CLINIC

Definition: Premises where medical care is given on out-patient basis and observation purposes before referral or transfer to a hospital for further management. These establishments are not allowed to run 24 hours service. They can ONLY open for a maximum of 12 hours per day. 

REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS

General Medical Practice and Out-Patient Facility

Minimum Requirements

PART A: Out-patient

  • Waiting/Reception Area 4 x 3 metres with the following in place:
    • Sitting facilities
    • Registration table
    • Record keeping facilities (preferably digital).
  • Consulting Room of 4 x 3 metres with:
    • Examination couch and screen for physical examination
    • Proper hand washing facilities with disposable serviettes
    • Appropriate medical waste management.
  • Treatment Room of 4 x 3 metres with the following in place:
    • Treatment couch (optional)
    • Proper hand washing facilities
    • Appropriate medical waste management.
    • Trolley containing various instruments and articles as needed by the facility.

PART B: Equipment

Basic Hospital equipment required are:

    • Suction machine
    • Oxygen Cylinders (complete with flow metre and other apparatus for administration)
    • Oxygen concentrator
    • Autoclave
    • Patient monitors
    • Any other Hospital Equipment/Instrument that may enhance the services of the facility.

PART C: In-Patient

  • Small operating theatre (optional) not less than 4 x 3 metres for minor day surgeries needing local anesthesia only.
  • Observation room with not more than 2 beds (optional) and a minimum distance of 1 x 3 metres between 2 beds.

PART D: Diagnostic Facilities

Facilities for Basic Diagnostic Investigations (e.g. Side room Laboratory) such as:

    • Blood – e.g. Hemoglobin, Full Blood Count, Blood sugar serum electrolytes, urea etc.
    • Urine and stool test i.e. Urinalysis, Stool examination.
    • RDTS: Malaria Parasite, HIV

NOTE: Other complex tests are done by arrangements with an approved Laboratory in the state.

PART E: Medical Waste Management

  • Registration with LAWMA Medical waste management is compulsory
  • Use of appropriate waste bins with cover in all sections of the facility
  • Use of appropriate colour coded bags for all medical waste disposal i.e.
    • Yellow
    • Red
    • Brown
    • Black
  • Use of safety boxes for all sharps
  • Creation of an appropriate final waste collection point for all facility’s waste

PART F: Handwashing Facilities

Proper hand washing facilities must be available in all sections of the Clinic to facilitate frequent hand washing by the staff and patients. Basic facilities for hand washing are:

  • Wash hand basin with running water
  • Liquid antiseptic soap in dispensing bottle with plunger
  • Disposable Serviettes
  • Liquid hand sanitizers
  • Hand dryers (optional)
  • Pedal bin
  • Handwashing poster

PART G: Public health facilities

Public health facilities shall include:

  • Adequate ventilation
  • Adequate illumination
  • Washable floors i.e. tiled appropriately for easy cleaning and disinfection.
  • Adequate drainage in and outside the facility
  • Clean and adequate Water Supply
    • Pipe borne water
    • Borehole (regularly treated)
  • Toilet facilities (W.C.) exclusive to the clinic
  • Fire extinguisher and other safety gadgets with valid service records attached.
  • Power Supply
    • PHCN
    • Standby Generators
    • Inverter (Optional)
  • Ambulance (optional)

PART H: Minimum Staff Complement

  • One Medical Practitioner in-charge who serves as the Operating Officer.
  • One Registered Nurse/Midwife registered to practice in Nigeria
  • One Clinic Assistant/Attendant
  • One Laboratory Technician /Assistant (if operating a side laboratory)
  • A trained Community Health Aide (optional)
  • Medical Records and Secretarial Staff
  • One Clerk/Receptionist