The Rivers State Anti-Quackery Committee has intensified its clampdown on unlicensed medical operators, sealing no fewer than 72 health facilities and arresting 12 individuals since it commenced operations.
Committee chairman and Director of Medical Services, Dr Vincent Wachukwu, told journalists in Port Harcourt recently that the arrests have led to ongoing investigations and, in some cases, prosecutions.
According to him, quackery remains widespread despite repeated raids by the state government.
“We have sealed about 72 hospitals and arrested 12 persons in connection with quackery. If you also recall there was a hospital that was sealed sometime ago in Oyigbo that was being manned by a Korean.
“We have sealed about 72 hospitals and arrested 12 persons. You may remember the Korean who was arrested in Oyigbo for running a hospital illegally. He was deported and so his own activity in Nigeria has ended,” Wachukwu explained.
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Recent operations targeted facilities in Obio/Akpor and Ikwerre council areas. Offenders included clinics and pharmacies operating without licences, centres run from residential apartments, and others found in unsanitary conditions.
Among them were Sosan Medical Center and Laboratory/Nursing School off Okporo Road, Bristol Clinic and Maternity Rumuodumaya operated by a suspected fake doctor, Kingsley Ugwu, Adoration Hospital and Maternity Limited Omagwa, Lucky Pharmacy Omagwa, and the outlet of Miss Rejoice Ogbia, a patent medicine dealer in Aluu accused of operating outside her training.
Wachukwu also warned licensed practitioners against colluding with unqualified operators.
“You can’t imagine a doctor going to a maternity to do surgery when primary healthcare center that is built and being runed by government is not authorized to do surgery,” he said.
He cautioned the media against promoting unapproved medical adverts and reaffirmed the ban on free medical outreaches by religious groups, NGOs and private individuals without clearance from the Ministry of Health.
Residents, he advised, should take advantage of the Rivers State Contributory Health Insurance Programme (RIVCHIP) rather than seek treatment from quacks.
Backing the government’s position, the Rivers chapter of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) declared that it would not shield any erring doctor.
“The NMA is not going to defend you because you’re a doctor, the NMA will do the right thing to ensure that you serve the punishment you are supposed to serve. Lives of Rivers people matter and it’s our collective duty to protect those lives,” said NMA chairman, Dr Diamond Tamunokuro.
