The Rivers State Government has closed down five hospitals and a patent medicine store across Port Harcourt and other parts of the state over alleged involvement in child trafficking and illegal medical practice. Seven suspects, including operators of the facilities, have also been arrested.
The action followed a discreet investigation by the State Anti-Quackery Committee in collaboration with security agencies after public complaints. Authorities said the Ministry of Health will work with the police to ensure prosecution of all suspects.
This was disclosed on Tuesday in Port Harcourt by the Chairman of the Anti-Quackery Committee and Permanent Secretary Designate of the State Ministry of Health, Vincent Wachukwu.
Wachukwu stated that some of the sealed facilities were run by unqualified individuals and non-medical personnel, some of whom allegedly carried out surgeries, prescribed drugs, and administered treatment to unsuspecting patients.
He also noted that certain illegal operators were offering training to prospective nurses without any professional qualification or regulatory approval.
One of the most disturbing cases, according to him, involved a facility where the operator allegedly engaged in child trafficking by swapping newborns. He explained that the suspect reportedly told mothers their babies had died during delivery, showed them dead infants, and then replaced the babies for illegal sale.
Among the affected facilities shut down are PLARIV Hospital along Kreigeni Road in Omoku, Good Shepherd Hospital in Nkaru Street, Blessed GoodNews Clinic on Bonny Street in Port Harcourt, ESTATE Clinic in Obio/Akpor, a patent medicine shop in Ndele, Emohua, and EL DONA Hospital in Elekahia, Port Harcourt.
Wachukwu further revealed a separate tragic case involving a twenty-year-old girl who died after being injected with an unknown substance by an unqualified patent medicine operator.
He explained that at EL DONA Hospital in Elekahia, the proprietor allegedly operated without registration and was implicated in child trafficking activities. He said all staff members at the facility were arrested and the premises sealed, while efforts were ongoing to ensure prosecution.
He added that investigations showed the operator allegedly deceived mothers by claiming newborns had died during delivery, presenting dead babies while secretly selling the living ones.
According to him, “She has been doing this until now, but luck has run out for her. The government will ensure she is prosecuted.”
Wachukwu also confirmed that the patent medicine shop in Ndele was sealed after it was discovered that an untrained operator administered injections to a young girl who had just completed secondary school and was awaiting university admission, leading to her death. The operator is currently at large but efforts are underway to apprehend her.
He said PLARIV Hospital in Omoku was discovered to be run by a non-medical practitioner from Plateau State who allegedly performed surgeries without training or licence and operated an unapproved training centre where over sixty individuals were being trained as auxiliary nurses without proper certification.
The committee confirmed that the facility was sealed and the operator arrested.
Wachukwu stressed that about six health facilities were shut and seven persons arrested in the latest operation.
He commended security agencies including the police, Department of State Services, and Civil Defence Corps, as well as the media, for supporting the crackdown on illegal health operations.
He added that the government would not relent in its efforts, noting that enforcement operations would continue despite resistance from offenders.
Wachukwu also warned that all non-governmental organisations, private hospitals, and religious bodies intending to carry out medical outreach programmes in the state must obtain approval from the Ministry of Health through the appropriate channels.
He cautioned that while the government welcomes genuine humanitarian services, any organisation that fails to comply with regulations would face legal consequences.
He reaffirmed that the state remains committed to eliminating quackery and protecting public health.
ADEOLA KUNLE
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