The Rivers State Government has shut down 21 health facilities for operating illegally and arrested three persons.
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health and Chairman Anti-Quackery Committee, Dr Vincent Wachukwu, disclosed this on Monday during the third quarter briefing in Port Harcourt.
He said the facilities were sealed across Port Harcourt City, Obio/Akpor, Ikwerre and Etche local government areas.
According to him, the sealed facilities include eight hospitals, five maternity homes and eight diagnostic centres.
Wachukwu said 19 of them were operating without registration and below the minimum standards, while one registered facility had no licensed doctor or nurse at the time of inspection.
He said the exercise followed surveillance reports that over 150 facilities were operating without registration, with only 20 per cent of registered facilities complying with annual inspection.
Among those sealed was Manda Clinic and Maternity, Elelenwo, shut down in a joint operation with NAPTIP over suspected child trafficking after a Liberian national allegedly disclosed procurement of three children from the facility within one month.
Other sealed facilities include Vasty Clinic, Danny Clinic, Kambel Hospital, Havilla Hospital, Golden Era Hospital and Ola-Oluwa Medical Centre.
Wachukwu said the arrested suspects will be prosecuted as government intensifies efforts to eradicate quackery.
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