Four persons have been arrested in Rivers State following the discovery of an alleged illegal medical facility where two individuals were reportedly attempting to perform surgery on a patient.
The Rivers State Ministry of Health also sealed eight health facilities during an October enforcement exercise targeting medical quackery, impersonation and the operation of unregistered healthcare centres.
The operation comes after the ministry recently shut down 21 facilities over alleged medical quackery and child trafficking.
According to the ministry, the latest inspection uncovered an illegal facility operating within a residential compound at No. 27 Victoria Street. Two suspects, identified as Ataisi Jephtha, who allegedly impersonated a surgeon, and Mgboawaji Edwin, were apprehended while reportedly attempting to perform a thyroidectomy on a patient in a poorly lit operating theatre.
The facility was subsequently sealed, while the suspects were arrested for prosecution.
The enforcement team also sealed five other hospitals and two laboratory centres for allegedly operating without registration and failing to meet the minimum standards required for healthcare delivery.
In a statement issued by the ministry’s Press Officer, Ednah Alete, the Permanent Secretary, Vincent Wachukwu, warned that licensed medical practitioners could face sanctions if they operate in unregistered or substandard facilities.
He explained that possessing a professional licence does not exempt practitioners from complying with facility registration requirements and other regulatory standards.
Wachukwu further cautioned that medical professionals who violate the guidelines of the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) risk penalties under the applicable regulations.
The ministry urged residents to verify the registration of healthcare facilities and the qualifications of practitioners before seeking treatment or undergoing surgical procedures.
It added that inspections would continue across the state to curb medical quackery, enforce compliance with healthcare regulations and protect residents from unsafe medical practices.
