By Musa Yaro, Calabar
A health task force in Cross River has arrested an 84 year old alleged fake surgeon, Simon Okuta-Agba.
He operates Life First Clinic in Bekwarra local government area of the state.
ASHENEWS gathered that though a professional doctor, Okuta-Agba, has been carrying out surgeries on his patients at lower rates.
The chairman of the taskforce, Dr. David Ushie told newsmen that almost every patient that went to the clinic underwent surgery.
“We discovered that he has been running this facility by providing cheap surgeries and nearly every one who went there with medical complaints always had to undergo surgery.”
According to Ushie, during the task force’s visit to the facility, 12 patients were on admission, out of which 11 of them had undergone surgeries within four days while one was already scheduled for surgery.
He said that on arrival, his team met Okuta-Agba conducting surgery on two patients, one a hernia and the other appendicitis, which are the ailments he always diagnose his patients with.
Okuta-Agba, the task force discovers employed other quacks who carry out ultrasound scan as well as some untrained nurses.
The taskforce chairman who is also the special adviser (health) to the Cross River State governor, explained that on further observation, the patients were seen keeping their used syringe and needles by their bedside which was a clear case of professional violation.
Ushie also expressed shock that Okuta-Agba transfuses blood without a pathologist or doctor to confirm the safety of the blood.
“While the clinic is not registered with the state ministry of health as a service provider, the culprit is not a doctor, has no license or certificate, never attended a medical school and the same qualities applicable to his staff,” Ushie informed.
