Rivers Govt Seals Six Health Facilities, Arrests Suspects Over Child Trafficking, Quackery
The Rivers State Ministry of Health has intensified its clampdown on illegal medical practice, sealing six health facilities and arresting seven individuals over alleged involvement in child trafficking, employment of unqualified personnel, and other unethical practices.
The Chairman of the State Anti-Quackery Committee and Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, Dr. Vincent Wachukwu, disclosed this during a press briefing in Port Harcourt on Tuesday.
He said the affected facilities were shut down not only for operating without valid licences but also for engaging in activities considered dangerous to public health and safety.
According to him, the ongoing operation is part of sustained efforts to sanitise the healthcare sector in the state and protect residents from quack practitioners.
“The facilities are not being sealed just because they are not registered. They are being sealed because they engage in nefarious and unprofessional activities,” he stated.
Wachukwu listed the affected facilities as PLARIV Hospital and Good Shepherd Hospital in Omoku, Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area; Blessed Goodnews Clinic on Bonny Street, Port Harcourt; Estate Clinic in Okahia Estate, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area; EL DONA Hospital in Obio/Akpor; and several patent medicine shops in Ndele, Emohua Local Government Area.
He revealed that EL DONA Hospital was sealed over its alleged involvement in child trafficking, adding that the ministry would work with law enforcement agencies to ensure those arrested are duly prosecuted.
Wachukwu commended the police for their support in the investigation and reaffirmed the government’s resolve to eliminate illegal medical practice across all 23 local government areas of the state.
He noted that the anti-quackery campaign, ongoing for over two years, has led to the closure of several unlicensed hospitals and diagnostic centres, with many operators currently facing prosecution.
Expressing optimism about the outcome of the exercise, he said the committee is making steady progress in ridding the state of quackery and related unethical practices in the health sector.
He also restated the state’s ban on unauthorised medical outreaches, warning non-governmental organisations, religious bodies, and other groups against conducting free medical services without approval from the Ministry of Health.
Residents were urged to patronise only licensed healthcare providers and report suspected cases of illegal medical practice to the appropriate authorities.
