The Rivers State Government has sealed five hospitals and a patent drug store across the state over allegations of child trafficking, illegal medical practices and operating without the required licences, leading to the arrest of seven suspects.
The Chairman of the State Anti-Quackery Committee and Permanent Secretary Designate of the Rivers State Ministry of Health, Dr Vincent Wachukwu, disclosed this during a press briefing in Port Harcourt on Tuesday.
According to Wachukwu, the crackdown followed intelligence reports and complaints from members of the public, prompting a discreet investigation by the committee in collaboration with security agencies. He stated that several of the affected facilities were being operated by unqualified persons who carried out medical procedures, including surgeries, and administered drugs to unsuspecting patients.
Among the facilities shut down were PLARIV Hospital in Omoku, Good Shepherd Hospital in Omoku, Blessed GoodNews Clinic in Port Harcourt, ESTATE Clinic in Obio/Akpor, a patent drug shop in Ndele, Emohua Local Government Area, and EL DONA Hospital in Elekahia, Port Harcourt.
Wachukwu described the case involving EL DONA Hospital as particularly disturbing, alleging that the proprietor was involved in child trafficking.
He claimed investigations revealed that women who delivered babies at the facility were sometimes told their newborns had died, while dead babies were allegedly used to deceive mothers before their living babies were sold.
He said all staff members at the facility were arrested, while the government would work with the police to ensure those involved face prosecution.
The committee also revealed that a 20-year-old girl allegedly died after receiving an injection administered by an untrained operator at a patent drug shop in Ndele.
The operator is currently being sought by authorities.
Wachukwu further disclosed that PLARIV Hospital was being run by an unlicensed individual who allegedly performed surgeries and trained over 60 auxiliary nurses without accreditation.
He vowed that the state government would sustain its fight against quack medical practitioners while warning organisations planning medical outreaches to obtain approval from the Ministry of Health before carrying out such activities.