The Rivers State Government has promised to find and punish fake doctors and shut down medical facilities that are not properly approved or qualified to operate.
The Ministry of Health’s Anti-Quackery Committee said it recently shut down four places pretending to be hospitals or clinics because they broke rules for medical practice.
One of the closed facilities was pretending to be both a clinic that did surgeries and a non-governmental organization.
Dr. Vincent Wachukwu, head of the Anti-Quackery Committee and Director of Medical Services, shared this during a press briefing in Port Harcourt.
Dr. Wachukwu explained that the committee’s job is to find all fake medical workers in the state and take legal actions against them with help from other agencies.
He said the committee, with full support from the government, has visited many facilities. However, he is disappointed that some people are still practicing illegal medicine despite efforts to stop them.
He criticized a drug seller who tried to help a pregnant woman give birth, which caused complications and led to her death.
Dr. Wachukwu said, “Miss Rejoice Ogbia, a drug seller in Aluu, was accused of giving IV drugs and helping with childbirth, even though she’s not allowed to do so.”
Although she denied the accusations and wasn’t caught in the act, she had received several complaints. She was given a strong warning and told to stop immediately and send any serious cases to proper medical centers.
Wachukwu said illegal medical practices are still happening in many areas, including Port Harcourt and nearby towns. So, the committee is continuing to check these places and take action.
He said that last Friday, based on complaints from individuals and groups, the committee took action and checked several reported facilities.
The first place they visited was Bristol Clinic and Maternity in Rumuodomaya. It’s a six-bed hospital operating in a small three-bedroom house, run by someone named Kingsley Ugwu.
This clinic is not registered, and Mr. Ugwu is not a doctor. Yet, he claimed to run a hospital with surgery and maternity services. The clinic’s license was cancelled more than 10 years ago.
Wachukwu added that Mr. Ugwu has no medical training, no licensed doctors, nurses, or pharmacists working with him. Yet, he still performed surgeries in a poorly equipped place.
There were also no infection control measures in place at the clinic.
So, the committee shut the clinic down and arrested Mr. Ugwu. He is now under investigation, and legal action will be taken.
The committee also visited Adoration Hospital and Maternity Limited in Omagwa. It was just a small shop turned into a hospital, offering surgery and maternity services and even training unqualified nurses.
At the time of the visit, there were no licensed medical workers there. The place was dirty and unsafe for treating people, so it was sealed.
The doctor who owns the place wasn’t there. He was invited to the ministry for questioning. He is a newly graduated doctor, and the Nigerian Medical Association will also be involved.
Another place, Lucky Pharmacy in Omagwa, was also visited. It is run by a drug seller who went beyond his knowledge and started treating patients, admitting them, and giving IV drugs in the pharmacy.
That pharmacy was also sealed. The man was reported to the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria for further action. The committee is working with all medical associations.
They also visited Sosan Medical Centre, located in a residential area. This unregistered clinic was being used as a hospital, a home, and a non-governmental organization all in one.
They even claimed to be running a nursing school without approval. The facility was sealed.
The owner was not there at the time but was invited for questioning. The Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria has also been informed for further investigation and punishment.
Dr. Wachukwu said the problem of fake medical workers is not only in Rivers State, but the government is doing its best to stop it in the state.
He said the committee has worked hard and has so far shut down 72 hospitals and arrested 12 people. One of them was a Korean man running a fake hospital. He was arrested, detained, and later deported back to Korea.
He thanked security agencies, especially the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, and civil society groups for helping identify illegal medical activities.
He also reminded churches and religious groups to stop organizing medical outreach programs without getting permission from the Health Ministry, to avoid putting people’s lives in danger.
Dr. Diamond Tamunokuro, Chairman of the Nigeria Medical Association in the state, said the people and the government have made it clear that fake doctors will no longer be tolerated.
He warned, “If you’re not registered with the Rivers State Ministry of Health, you’re not allowed to practice medicine. If you’re operating in an unapproved location, stop now, or the committee will find and arrest you.”
He added that their investigation now goes beyond the city, and anyone caught will be arrested and prosecuted.
