The Rivers State Ministry of Health has arrested four people over alleged medical quackery, impersonation and the performance of a thyroidectomy on an unsuspecting patient.

The ministry also shut down eight health facilities during its October inspection exercise for allegedly operating without proper registration or failing to meet prescribed healthcare standards.

The Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Dr Vincent Wachukwu, disclosed this, saying the exercise was part of the state government’s efforts to curb medical quackery and protect residents from unsafe healthcare practices.

Among the facilities uncovered was an unregistered health outfit allegedly operating secretly within a residential compound at No. 27 Victoria Street, Port Harcourt.

During the raid, enforcement officers arrested two suspects, identified as Mr Ataisi Jephtha and Mrs Mgboawaji Edwin. Jephtha was allegedly posing as a trained surgeon, according to the ministry. The residential facility was subsequently sealed.

A thyroidectomy is a surgical procedure involving the partial or complete removal of the thyroid gland, an operation that requires appropriate medical training and expertise.

The ministry also sealed five hospitals and two diagnostic laboratory centres for allegedly operating without the required official registration or failing to comply with basic operational guidelines.

Wachukwu warned that licensed medical practitioners found collaborating with unregistered or substandard facilities would face disciplinary action in accordance with the regulations of the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN).

He reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to enforcing healthcare regulations and protecting residents from unqualified practitioners.

The ministry also urged healthcare operators across Rivers State to comply with registration requirements and minimum operating standards, warning that violators would face sanctions.