Rivers shuts six medical facilities over quackery, unethical practices

The Rivers State Government has taken swift action against six medical facilities operating illegally in the state.

Dr Adaeze Oreh, the State Commissioner for Health, announced the shutdown during a media briefing, saying the facilities engaged in unauthorised operations and unethical practices.

She said the facilities, located outside the state capital, were being run by unlicensed and unqualified individuals who performed surgeries without proper facilities and supervision.

She added that what’s even more alarming is that they were also training others to join their illegal activities.

Oreh listed the facilities sealed to include Parley Hospital and Maternity, Ogale; Success Maternity, Aleto; Noble Life Maternity and Computer Test, Aleto, all in Eleme LGA; Futurist Medical Centre, Omagwa, Ikwerre LGA; Godbless Hospital Kom-kom; and ASHA Specialist Hospital, La Quinta Street, Afam, both in Oyigbo LGA.

She said the activities of the quack medical practitioners pose a great danger to the lives of the people of the state.

“We can see that these perpetrators have gone beyond providing these unprofessional, unethical, and disastrous services to the people to providing training and further proliferating their numbers so that other people can go into other locations and do the same,” adding, “And if you also observe the trend, a lot of them are going out of the main city of Port Harcourt perhaps to evade notice and being brought to book by the authorities.”

The Health Commissioner used the medium to warn all unregistered facilities to visit the Rivers State Ministry of Health for the conditions and criteria for registration, saying, “I will use today’s press briefing to reiterate that the Rivers State Government maintains a zero-tolerance for quacks and unregistered facilities.”

She warned medical doctors and pharmacies against crossing the lines of ethical practices by collaborating with quacks.

“We also warn medical doctors and other health workers who collaborate, train, and collude with quacks and facilities run by unqualified practitioners against crossing the lines of ethical medical practice.

“We also used this opportunity to warn pharmacies and chemist shops who have illegally extended their services to providing consultation services and the administration of intravenous medications and admitting patients to desist from such practices or be brought to book,” she said.

Oreh informed the public that the Rivers State Contributory Health Programme, RIVCHP, is functional and active following Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s approval of its take-off in January 2024, advising members of the public to get enrolled to enjoy the benefits of revitalised health services in the state’s public services.

She noted that Rivers State boasts one of the best primary healthcare and referral systems, including a revitalised emergency medical services and ambulance service system, which is said to be in line with the mandate of Governor Fubara to promote accessible and affordable healthcare services in safe and standard healthcare facilities while preventing exploitation from quacks in the state.

Oreh further advised government agencies such as the National Health Insurance Authority, schools and higher institutions of learning, and corporate organisations to ensure that they transact with only facilities that are registered with the Rivers State Ministry of Health and issued with a certificate of standard.

The Commissioner also reiterated that all individuals and organisations who intend to execute free medical outreaches should apply for clearance from the Department of Medical Services at the Rivers State Ministry of Health, insisting that minimum standards of care and services must be ensured for all citizens and residents of the state.