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The Rivers state ministry of health has sealed six healthcare facilities over alleged illegal operations and arrested suspected unqualified medical practitioners operating in the state.
Vincent Wachukwu, chairman of the state’s interprofessional anti-quackery committee, said the anti-quackery campaign, which has been ongoing for more than two years, has recorded significant successes.
Speaking in Port Harcourt, the Rivers state capital on Tuesday, Wachukwu said the successes include the closure of numerous hospitals and diagnostic centres, as well as the arrests and prosecution of several offenders.
He said enforcement operations in Port Harcourt, Obio/Akpor, Emohua, and Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGAs led to the closure of illegal healthcare centres following intelligence reports, whistleblower information, and complaints from community members.
Wachukwu stated that a non-medical practitioner operated Plariv Hospital in the Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA, performing surgical procedures without the necessary qualifications or licences.
He stated that the hospital served as a training centre for more than 60 auxiliary nursing students.
He said Good Shepherd Hospital in the LGA was sealed after finding out it was operated by Onanefe Sago, who allegedly practised medicine with forged credentials from the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN).
The committee chairman said Blessed Good News Clinic on Bonny street was shut after investigations revealed that the facility was operated by individuals without medical qualifications.
He alleged that the operators used rented professional certificates to secure registration and carried out surgical procedures while patients received inadequate care.
Wachukwu also said the Estate Clinic in Obio/Akpor LGA was sealed for operating without a valid registration.
“Interestingly, the facility had previously been shut down but resumed operations after its operators allegedly broke government seals,” he added.
“In Emohua LGA, a patent medicine store in Ndele was sealed after an incident that reportedly resulted in the death of a 20-year-old female secondary school graduate.”
He said the committee found out that the unqualified operator administered an injection that led to the victim’s death.
The committee chairman said Eldona Hospital in Elekahia, Port Harcourt, was sealed following investigations by the Nigeria Police Force (NPF).
“It was alleged that the proprietor was involved in child trafficking, including the illegal exchange and sale of newborn babies,” he noted.
Wachukwu warned that any organisation that wants to do a medical outreach must obtain prior approval from the state’s ministry of health.
He added that the ministry has directed all registered hospitals to display their certificates of registration and standards to identify legitimate healthcare facilities.
