By: Felix Ikpotor
The Anti-Quackery Committee of the Rivers State Ministry of Health, has sealed a total of six health facilities while making seven arrests in the process.
The facilities were sealed for operating without appropriate licensing, engagement of untrained personnel, child trafficking and other sharp practices.
Chairman of the State’s Anti-Quackery Committee and Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Health, Dr. Vincent Wachukwu who disclosed this during a press conference said the facilities are located both within and outside Port Harcourt.
He said the arrest is in continuation of the committee’s ongoing effort to sanitize the health sector in the state. He recalled that last year, they sealed facilities and also made some arrest with suspects still undergoing prosecution.
”This fight has been on for the past two years and some months, and we have made some very significant progress. We have sealed a whole lot of hospitals, we have sealed a whole lot of diagnostic centers. We have arrested some of the operators of these facilities who are currently undergoing prosecution. But for this one, we have concealed about six healthcare facilities, we arrested seven persons in all, ” he said.
Wachukwu listed the names of health facilities sealed as PLARIV Hospital, Kreigeni Road, Omoku, Ogba/Egbema/ Ndoni LGA, Good Shepherd Hospital, Nkaru Street, Omoku, ONELGA, Blesed Goodnews Clinic, 31 Bonny street, PHALGA, Estate Clinic Okahia Estate, off East West Road, Obio/Akpor LGA, EL DONA Hospital, Obio/Akpor and patent drug shops in Ndele, Emohua LGA.
He said the committee’s work cut across the 23 local councils of the state. He also expressed optimism that the committee was winning the war against quackery in the state.
”By God’s grace, doing the bit we are doing and with your support, I believe we are winning the race. Currently, the Anti-Quackery Committee have embarked on some activities to identify and deal with some of these unwholesome practitioners in River State. We are not only concerned about what is happening in Port Harcourt; we are concerned about what is happening in the entire state as far as the health sector is concerned.
”Now, we have gone to some local governments outside Port Harcourt and Obi/ Akpor, and a few health facilities have been sealed. They are not being sealed just because they are not registered, they are being sealed because they engage in nefarious and unprofessional activities, ” he added.
On the case of EL DONA Hospital which was sealed for involvement in child trafficking, Wachukwu commended the police for their effort and assured that the ministry will offer all the support needed for diligent prosecution of the arrested persons.
The permanent secretary used the avenue to reitrate the ban on unathorised medical outreaches in the state.
”Recall that in all our briefings, we have always warned NGOs, religious bodies and whatever group that before you carry out any free medical outreach in Rivers State, you must obtain permission and approval from the ministry of health but some of them are going contrary to this directive, so let me use this medium now to warn and reiterate that any individual, any hospital, any organization that wishes to carry out any free medical outreach must obtain permission from the ministry of health, ” Wachukwu stated.
