The Rivers State Ministry of Health has sealed eight health facilities across the state and arrested four persons over alleged medical quackery, impersonation and operation of unregistered health premises.
The enforcement exercise was carried out in October as part of ongoing efforts by the state government to rid the health sector of unqualified practitioners and unsafe medical practices.
According to the Ministry, the operation led to the discovery of several illegal health facilities that were operating without approval, registration or qualified medical personnel.
One of the major discoveries during the raid was an unregistered facility allegedly operating inside a residential compound at No. 27 Victoria Street in Port Harcourt.
The Ministry said the facility was being run from within a private residence, in clear violation of existing regulations governing the establishment and operation of private health facilities in the state.
It disclosed that two suspects were apprehended at the premises while allegedly attempting to carry out a thyroidectomy, a complex surgical procedure involving the removal of the thyroid gland, on a patient.
The suspects were identified as Ataisi Jephtha, who allegedly paraded himself as a surgeon, and Mgboawaji Edwin, who was said to be working with him at the illegal facility.
The Ministry stated that Jephtha had no verifiable medical qualification or licence to practise as a surgeon, and was therefore impersonating a medical doctor to deceive unsuspecting members of the public.
Both suspects were arrested at the scene and will be prosecuted in accordance with the law, while the facility was immediately sealed to prevent further operations.
The Ministry explained that carrying out such a sensitive surgical procedure in an unregistered facility located inside a residential building poses grave danger to the life of the patient and the general public.
It added that such premises lack the required equipment, sterile environment, qualified personnel and emergency support systems needed to conduct safe surgical operations.
The enforcement team also sealed seven other facilities during the exercise for various offences bordering on operating without registration, employing unqualified staff and engaging in practices beyond their approved scope.
Four persons were arrested in total during the operation, including the two suspects apprehended at Victoria Street, for their alleged involvement in quackery and impersonation.
The Rivers State Ministry of Health said the operation is part of its sustained inspections and monitoring of private health facilities to ensure compliance with professional standards and regulations.
It noted that the exercise followed the recent closure of 21 other health facilities in the state over alleged involvement in medical quackery and child trafficking related offences.
The Ministry said the government is determined to sanitise the health sector and protect residents of the state from falling victim to unqualified medical practitioners.
It warned that anyone found operating an illegal health facility or parading themselves as medical professionals without requisite qualifications will be arrested and made to face the full wrath of the law.
The Ministry also urged members of the public to be vigilant and to always verify the registration status of health facilities before seeking medical care.
It advised residents to report suspicious health facilities and unprofessional conduct by medical practitioners to the Ministry of Health for prompt action.
The Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that only qualified, registered and competent healthcare providers are allowed to operate in Rivers State, in the interest of public safety and quality healthcare delivery.
