Rivers Shuts Eight Health Facilities, Arrests Four in Anti-Quackery Crackdown

By Ike Wigodo
The Rivers State Ministry of Health has sealed eight health facilities and arrested four persons for prosecution over alleged medical quackery, impersonation and the operation of unregistered health establishments.
The Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Dr Vincent Wachukwu, disclosed this in an update on the state's anti-quackery campaign, following an inspection and enforcement exercise conducted in October.
According to the ministry, the operation uncovered an illegal health facility operating within a residential compound at No. 27 Victoria Street.
The ministry said operatives found two suspects, identified as Mr Ataisi Jephtha and Mrs Mgboawaji Edwin, allegedly attempting to perform a thyroidectomy on an unsuspecting patient at the facility.
Jephtha was accused of posing as a surgeon, while his alleged accomplice was also arrested. The facility was subsequently sealed, according to the ministry.
A thyroidectomy is a surgical procedure involving the removal of all or part of the thyroid gland.
The ministry further disclosed that five other hospitals and two laboratory centres were shut down for allegedly operating below the required minimum standards and without the necessary registration.
Dr Wachukwu warned that licensed medical practitioners who operate from unregistered or substandard health facilities would also face sanctions in accordance with the applicable guidelines of the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN).
The ministry reiterated its commitment to tackling medical quackery and enforcing standards across health facilities in Rivers State.