The Rivers State Government has closed down a health facility in the state over unprofessional practices.
The state’s Anti-Quackery Committee, directed by Dr Vincent Wachukwu, sealed the clinic on Monday in response to media allegations of Mrs Victoria Paris’s death following a caesarean section in the institution reportedly performed by unlicensed health staff.
The committee, which paid an unplanned visit to the hospital, observed that the facility was a subpar maternity converted to a clinic that was not equipped to do caesarean sections.
The hospital, which is housed in a three-bedroom flat converted into a six-bed maternity unit and owned by Mrs Comfort Etuk, was registered for maternity services.
However, it was discovered that the facility had been illegally turned into a full-fledged hospital, with auxiliary health officers treating patients.
According to a statement signed by Dr. Hope Avundaa of the Rivers State Interprofessional Anti-Quackery Committee, the committee discovered a shortage of certified medical professionals during a visit to the facility.
The statement said, “Inspection of the facility showed the following: No licensed medical personnel (nurses) on the ground; run by auxiliary nurses. Staff practice beyond the scope of registration, carrying out surgeries in a poorly equipped facility. No standard sterilising unit or IPC standards.
“The Director of Medical Services, Dr Vincent Wachukwu, revoked registration of the facility and subsequently ordered the immediate closure and sealing off of the facility.
“All health workers including doctors affiliated with the practice were subsequently summoned to the MDCN panel.
“The Chairman, NMA Rivers state Dr Diamond Tamunokuro frowned at the condescending practice of Medical doctors affiliated with and operating in maternity and substandard facilities.
“This exercise is a continuation of the anti-quackery mandate of the Rivers State Ministry of Health and the Nigerian Medical Association, Rivers State, and other healthcare affiliate associations in the state.”
