Agorehmi Bright, Reporting
THE Rivers State Government has intensified its war against quackery in the health sector, sealing six illegal health facilities and arresting seven persons across the state for operating without proper licences.
The enforcement operation, carried out by the Anti-Quackery Committee of the Rivers State Ministry of Health, is the latest phase of a two-year campaign to sanitise healthcare delivery in the state.
Authorities have accused the affected operators of engaging in unprofessional practices, including child trafficking.
Permanent Secretary of the Ministry and Chairman of the Committee, Dr Vincent Wachukwu, briefed journalists in Port Harcourt on Tuesday, confirming that the sealed facilities are located both within and outside the state capital.
They were shut down for operating without appropriate licensing, employing untrained personnel, engaging in child trafficking, and other sharp practices.
Among the sealed facilities are PLARIV Hospital and Good Shepherd Hospital in Omoku town, Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA; Blesed Goodnews Clinic in Port Harcourt City LGA; patent drug shops in Rundele, Emohua LGA; Estate Clinic in Okahia Estate; and EL DONA Hospital in Obio/Akpor LGA – the latter singled out for its involvement in child trafficking.
Dr Wachukwu said the seven individuals arrested during the operation are expected to face prosecution, noting that similar actions were taken last year, with suspects from previous raids still undergoing trial.
“This fight has been on for the past two years and some months, and we have made very significant progress,” he stated. “We have sealed a whole lot of hospitals and diagnostic centres. We have arrested some of the operators who are currently undergoing prosecution. For this one, we have sealed about six healthcare facilities and arrested seven persons in all.”
The Permanent Secretary emphasised that the committee’s mandate covers all 23 local government areas of the state, not just Port Harcourt and Obio/Akpor. He expressed optimism that the government is winning the battle against quackery, adding that the facilities were not only sealed for lack of registration but also for “nefarious and unprofessional activities” that endanger lives.
Dr Wachukwu commended the Nigeria Police for their efforts in investigating the child trafficking case at EL DONA Hospital and assured that the Ministry would provide all necessary support to ensure diligent prosecution of those arrested.
He also reiterated the state government’s ban on unauthorised medical outreaches, warning NGOs, religious bodies and other groups that any free medical outreach must obtain prior approval from the Ministry of Health.
“Let me use this medium to warn and reiterate that any individual, hospital or organisation that wishes to carry out any free medical outreach must obtain permission from the ministry of health,” he said.
The government vowed that the crackdown will continue until all unregistered and unqualified healthcare providers are flushed out of the system to protect residents from medical malpractice and abuse.
