Rivers Govt Arrests Four Suspected Fake Doctors, Shuts Eight Health Facilities
The Rivers State Ministry of Health has arrested four persons for alleged medical quackery, impersonation, and performing a thyroidectomy – a delicate surgical procedure involving partial or total removal of the thyroid gland – on an unsuspecting patient.
The Ministry also shut down eight health facilities during its October enforcement exercise.
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Dr. Vincent Wachukwu, disclosed this, saying the exercise was aimed at curbing quackery and enforcing compliance with healthcare standards in the state.
According to him, among the facilities uncovered was an unregistered health outfit operating covertly inside a residential compound at No. 27 Victoria Street, Port Harcourt.
During the raid, enforcement officers intercepted two suspects, Mr. Ataisi Jephtha and Mrs. Mgboawaji Edwin, as they allegedly attempted to attend to patients. Jephtha was said to have been posing as a trained surgeon. Both suspects were arrested and the premises sealed.
In addition, five other hospitals and two diagnostic laboratories were shut for failing to meet basic operational guidelines and operating without mandatory registration.
Dr. Wachukwu warned that licensed medical practitioners found colluding with or operating from unregistered and substandard facilities would face strict disciplinary action in line with the regulations of the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN).
He reassured residents of the state government’s resolve to rigorously enforce health regulations and protect them from predatory practices, while cautioning all healthcare operators to adhere strictly to registration requirements and minimum standard protocols or face immediate sanctions(Guardian)
