The Rivers State Government has sealed five hospitals and arrested seven individuals as part of an ongoing operation against illegal medical practices across the state.
Chairman of the Interprofessional Anti-Quackery Committee and Acting Permanent Secretary of the Rivers State Ministry of Health, Dr. Vincent Wachukwu, disclosed this to journalists in Port Harcourt on Monday.
Wachukwu said the enforcement exercise also led to the closure of a patent medicine store in Ndele, Emohua Local Government Area, where a 20-year-old woman reportedly died after being administered medication by the store operator.
According to him, investigations revealed that some of the affected facilities obtained approval using forged certificates, employed unlicensed health workers, and engaged in other unethical activities within their premises.
The hospitals sealed during the operation include PLARIV Hospital on Kriegene Road, Omoku; Good Shepherd Hospital on Nkaru Street, Omoku; Blessed Goodnews Clinic on Bonny Street, Port Harcourt; Estate Clinic in Okahia Estate, off the East-West Road in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area; and Eldona Hospital in Elekahia, Port Harcourt.
The committee reiterated its commitment to sanitising the healthcare sector and protecting residents from unqualified medical practitioners.
