The Rivers State Government has issued a strong warning to all organizations, including religious bodies and private entities, against conducting any form of medical outreach without the explicit approval of the State Ministry of Health.
The warning was delivered by the State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Adaeze Oreh, during a press briefing in Port Harcourt on Monday.Dr. Oreh emphasized that no group—whether a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO), church, mosque, philanthropist, or private hospital—should organize any medical outreach, free or paid, without obtaining written permission from the Ministry.
This directive follows reports of unauthorized health activities that the Ministry had no prior knowledge of, raising concerns about the safety of such events.The Commissioner explained that these unapproved medical outreaches expose vulnerable individuals to unverified and potentially dangerous medical care.
“We take the charge of the Ministry very seriously. If you come across any medical outreach, please ask the right questions—do they have permission from the Ministry of Health?” Oreh said.
In addition to the warning, Dr. Oreh revealed that the state has recently sealed two hospitals and a spa for operating without proper registration and using unqualified personnel. The hospitals—Adewon Hospital in Bori, Khana Local Government Area, and St. Thomas Hospital in Eleme, Eleme Local Government Area—were found to be conducting surgeries with unqualified staff, putting patients’ lives at risk.
Dr. Oreh disclosed that the two hospitals were found to be using unqualified personnel to perform surgical procedures, which posed a significant risk to patients. “These are recipes for disaster,” she warned, adding that while the practitioners are doctors, they lack the necessary surgical training, and their facilities were endangering the lives of people in the state.
She further explained that the spa’s proprietor, an engineer with an unrecognized aesthetic certification, had been advertising and providing body enhancement services without the requisite qualifications.
The Health Commissioner stated that such establishments not only deceive the public but also jeopardize lives, especially given the rising global market for organs.
“Even though their facilities have been sealed, further steps are being taken to ensure that they face the full wrath of the law,” Oreh added, underscoring the government’s commitment to prosecuting those responsible for illegal healthcare practices.
In a related development, Dr. Diamond Tamunokuro, the State Chairman of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), reassured the public that the association would not protect any member found engaging in unethical practices.
“The NMA will never shield any of our members involved in quackery,” Tamunokuro stated. He explained that any suspected doctor involved in malpractice would be referred to the association’s disciplinary committee, and if found guilty, would be handed over to the appropriate security agencies.
The Rivers State Ministry of Health has intensified its crackdown on illegal healthcare providers through its anti-quackery committee, which works in collaboration with the NMA. The committee’s mandate is to ensure that healthcare facilities in the state meet regulatory standards and that personnel delivering medical services are qualified and licensed.
Dr. Vincent Wachukwu, Director of Medical Services at the Ministry and Chairman of the anti-quackery committee highlighted that the team is not just concerned with the physical infrastructure of health facilities but also with the qualifications of the personnel.
“The manpower delivering healthcare services must have the requisite qualifications, licensing, and registration to carry out certain services,” he said.
The government’s actions are aimed at curbing the proliferation of unqualified medical personnel and ensuring that healthcare services in the state meet the required safety and professional standards.
The Rivers State Government’s recent actions serve as a reminder to the public to be cautious when seeking medical services and to verify that facilities and personnel are properly licensed and qualified. Residents are encouraged to report any suspicious medical practices to the Ministry of Health.
