Rivers State Ministry of Health seals eight facilities over medical quackery

The Rivers State Ministry of Health has sealed eight health facilities and arrested four individuals following an enforcement exercise in October. The crackdown targeted illegal operations, impersonation, and the use of unregistered facilities.

A significant discovery occurred at a residential compound on Victoria Street, where two suspects, Ataisi Jephtha and Mgboawaji Edwin, were allegedly apprehended while attempting to perform a thyroidectomy on a patient. Jephtha reportedly posed as a surgeon during the attempted procedure.

In addition to the residential facility, the ministry shut down five hospitals and two laboratory centers for failing to meet minimum operating standards or lacking proper registration. Dr. Vincent Wachukwu, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, warned that licensed medical practitioners working in substandard or unregistered facilities will also face penalties under the guidelines of the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria.