By Deborah Nnamdi
The Rivers State Government has sealed five hospitals and a patent drug store across the state over alleged involvement in child trafficking, illegal medical practice, and operating without the required licences, leading to the arrest of seven suspects.
The government said the crackdown followed a discreet investigation by the State Anti-Quackery Committee, supported by security agencies, after receiving reports from members of the public about suspicious activities in the affected facilities.
Chairman of the Anti-Quackery Committee and Permanent Secretary Designate of the Rivers State Ministry of Health, Vincent Wachukwu, disclosed this during a press briefing in Port Harcourt on Tuesday.
According to Wachukwu, investigations revealed that some of the facilities were being operated by unqualified individuals and non-medical personnel who carried out surgeries, prescribed medications, and administered treatments to unsuspecting patients.
He further alleged that some operators were running illegal training programmes for aspiring nurses despite lacking the qualifications and approvals required to operate healthcare institutions.
One of the most disturbing discoveries, he said, involved EL DONA Hospital in Elekahia, Port Harcourt, where the proprietor was accused of operating an unregistered facility allegedly linked to child trafficking.
Wachukwu alleged that the operator deceived mothers into believing their newborn babies had died during delivery, exchanged the infants with dead babies, and subsequently sold the living children.
He said all staff members at the facility had been arrested, and the hospital was sealed pending prosecution.
“Part of what we gathered from the investigation is that this woman is involved in child trafficking. Women go there to deliver and she allegedly exchanges living babies with dead ones before selling the children,” he said.
The facilities sealed by the committee include PLARIV Hospital on Kreigeni Road, Omoku, and Good Shepherd Hospital on Nkaru Street, both in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area; Blessed GoodNews Clinic on Bonny Street, Port Harcourt; ESTATE Clinic in Okahia Estate, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area; a patent drug shop in Ndele, Emohua Local Government Area; and EL DONA Hospital in Elekahia.
Wachukwu also disclosed that authorities were investigating the death of a 20-year-old girl allegedly linked to treatment received at the patent drug store in Ndele. He said the operator, who is reportedly not medically trained, allegedly injected the victim with an unknown substance that resulted in her death.
According to him, the deceased had recently completed secondary school, sat for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, and was awaiting admission before the incident occurred.
The committee also uncovered alleged illegal activities at PLARIV Hospital in Omoku, where a non-medical practitioner was said to have been conducting surgeries and operating a training school for auxiliary nurses.
Wachukwu said more than 60 trainees were found at the facility during the inspection, adding that the hospital lacked the necessary registration and operational certifications. The proprietor has since been arrested and is being detained pending prosecution.
He stated that the committee would continue its operations against quack medical practitioners, noting that the state’s campaign against illegal healthcare facilities over the past two years had recorded significant success.
The health official commended the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, and the media for supporting the anti-quackery campaign.
He revealed that six healthcare facilities were sealed during the latest operation, while seven individuals were arrested.
Wachukwu also warned that non-governmental organisations, private hospitals, and religious bodies intending to conduct medical outreaches or health programmes in the state must obtain approval from the Ministry of Health before commencing such activities.
He stressed that while the government would not obstruct legitimate humanitarian and healthcare initiatives, individuals or organisations that violate the directive would face sanctions.
