The Rivers State Anti-Quackery Committee has sealed over 72 facilities and arrested 12 persons since it began operations in the state.
Chairman of the committee and Director, Medical Services, Rivers State Ministry of Health, Dr. Vincent Wachukwu said this recently while briefing journalists on the activities of the committee in Port Harcourt.
Wachukwu, who was the Director of Medical Services, Rivers State Ministry of Health, said many of the arrested persons are undergoing investigation for possible prosecution, while a few others have been prosecuted.
According to him, despite the much efforts being put in by the committee and the Rivers State Government to rid the state of quacks, they still operate in several parts of the state, including Port Harcourt, Obio/Akpor and its environs.
The Chairman assured that the committee and the government are committed to protecting the lives of Rivers people and ensuring that they get proper care from qualified health personnel.
“We have really worked so hard since the inception of this Anti-Quackery Committee. We have sealed about 72 hospitals, and we have arrested 12 persons in connection with quackery.
“If you also recall, there was a hospital that was sealed sometime ago in Oyigbo that was being manned by a Korean.
“He was arrested and detained by the Department of State Security (DSS), and probably for diplomatic reasons, he was deported, and so his own activity in Nigeria has ended. Some people have also been imprisoned because of their activities, “he said.
He lamented further that “despite the efforts of this committee and the government to rid Rivers State of these quacks, it would surprise you to note that these practices are still going on in so many areas and local governments unabated, including Port Harcourt, Obio/ Akpor and its environs.
“Now based on these, the committee has continued in its activity of visiting these facilities to look into what they are doing and to take necessary actions.”
Giving a breakdown of its recent successes, Wachukwu said last Friday, some facilities and individuals operating illegally within Obio/Akpor and Ikwerre Local Government Areas of the state were sealed for various offences, including operating without licences, unhealthy environments, and operating from residential apartments.
He listed the sealed facilities and individuals to include Sosan Medical Centre and Laboratory/Nursing School, located off Okporo Road; Bristol Clinic and Maternity, Rumuodumaya, operated by one Mr. Kingsley Ugwu, a suspected fake Doctor; Adoration Hospital and Maternity Limited, Omagwa; Lucky Pharmacy, Omagwa, and Miss Rejoice Ogbia, a patent medicine dealer in Aluu, who was reported to be carrying out unauthorized practices beyond her scope of training.
He also warned medical practitioners against colluding with quacks to sabotage the healthcare sector in the state.
“We also want to use this opportunity to warn some of our health workers to desist from some of their activities because some of them are aiding and abetting some of these things that are happening.
“You can’t imagine a doctor going to a maternity to do surgery when the primary healthcare centre that is built and being run by the government is not authorized to do surgery,” he stated.
Wachukwu also urged the media to be wary of the kind of advertorials they publish in order not to deceive the public into patronising quacks.
He used the opportunity to reiterate the ban on all unauthorized medical outreaches by NGOs, individuals, and churches.
“We also want to use this medium to warn, once more, that no religious organisation, no private hospital, no NGO, no civil society organisation, no individual, not even a company is authorized to carryout any form of free medical care without an approval from the Ministry of Health through the office of the Director of Medical Services”, he added.
While urging the people to desist from patronising quacks, Wachukwu said they should take advantage of the Rivers State Contributory Health Insurance Programme (RIVCHIP) to access near-free healthcare services.
He also commended the efforts of various health organisations, security agencies, non-governmental organisations, civil society groups, religious groups, and individuals for their support.
On his part, the Chairman of Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), Rivers State, Dr. Diamond Tamunokuro said the association would not defend any doctor found indulging in illegal practice.
He urged all facilities to get the requisite approvals from the Ministry of Health.
“What Rivers people and the Rivers State Government are saying is that quacks are no longer allowed in the health sector in Rivers State. If you are not registered with the Rivers State Ministry of Health, you’re not qualified to do what you are doing.
“If you are practising in a place that’s not supposed to be used for a hospital, then you should desist from it from now because the Anti-Quackery Committee will get you.
“We are going beyond just Obio/Akpor and Port Harcourt. We are going to places far away from the main cities. The moment the committee gets you, you’ll be arrested and prosecuted.
“The NMA is not going to defend you because you’re a doctor, the NMA will do the right thing to ensure that you serve the punishment you are supposed to serve. Lives of Rivers people matter, and it’s our collective duty to protect those lives, “he stated.
