The Rivers State Government has warned that quackery in any form within the medical and allied professions will not be tolerated in the State.
This is as it announced the sealing of no fewer than 72 medical facilities, and the arrest of over 12 suspects in connection with quackery.
At an interactive session with the Media in Port Harcourt, the Chairman of the Rivers State Anti-Quackery Committee, Dr Vincent Wachukwu, also, cautioned non-state actors, civil society organizations, and charity groups and individuals against holding any medical outreach and programmes in Rivers State without prior notice and approval from relevant State Authorities.
Dr Wachukwu who is also the Director of Medical Services in the State Ministry of Health, informed that the 72 Health facilities were sealed by the Anti-Quackery Committee since the inception of its operations
According to him, the Government and good people of Rivers state have declared zero tolerance for any forms of quackery in the State.
He, therefore, urged all existing health facilities and intending operators of healthcare delivery institutions to apply and secure all requisite approvals from relevant authorities.
The Committee Chairman lamented the growing trend of quackery within the health sector in the State, despite the efforts made by the Committee to halt the situation.
He, however, expressed the unwavering commitment of both the Committee and the Rivers State Government towards riding the State of the activities of quacks within the healthcare delivery system.
"We have really worked so hard since the inception of this Anti-Quackery Committee. We have sealed over 72 hospitals. We have arrested 12 persons in connection with quackery.
If you also recall, there was a hospital that was sealed sometime ago in Oyinbo that was being manned by a Korean.
"He was arrested and detained by the Department of State Service DSS, and probably for diplomatic reasons, he was deported and so his own activities in Nigeria have ended. Some people have also been imprisoned because of their activities.
"However, despite the efforts of this Committee and the Rivers State Government to rid the state of these Quacks, it would surprise you to note that these practices are still ongoing in so many areas, and Local Governments unabated, including Port Harcourt and Obio/Akpor, and their environs", Dr Wachukwu stated
According to him, most of the arrested persons and sealed hospitals were recorded in Obio/Akpor, Port Harcourt City, and Ikwerre Local Councils.
He explained that the facilities were sealed for various offences including their owners operating without licences, operating in unhealthy environments, as well as from residential apartments.
This is as he accused medical doctors working with Government hospitals of aiding and abetting the operations of such illegal health facilities in the State.
The Committee Chairman warned that henceforth, the State Government will sanction any of its personnel found culpable of aiding the activities of quacks in the state.
"You can't imagine a doctor going to maternity to carry out surgery when Primary Healthcare Centre that was built and being run by the Government is not authorized to perform surgery", Wachukwu noted.
To further sanitize the system and protect the lives of citizens, Dr Wachukwu reaffirmed the State Government's ban on any medical outreach without the express approval of appropriate regulatory authorities.
"We want to use this medium to warn that no religious organization, private hospital, NGOs, and even corporate entities are authorized to carry out any form of free medical assistance without the approval of the Ministry of Health through the office of the Director, Medical Services" Wachukwu stated .
In his contributions,the Rivers state Chairman of the NMA ,Dr Diamond Tamunokuro advised medical practitioners to always align their operations with regulatory guidelines, including seeking and obtaining requisite approvals.
He warned that the NMA would not shield any erring members from facing the full weight of the law should they go contrary to established and legal frameworks governing their professional callings.
"What the Government and good people of Rivers State are saying is that quacks are no longer allowed in the health sector in the State.
"If you are not registered with the Rivers state Ministry of Health, you are not qualified to do what you are doing.
"If you are practising in a place that is not supposed to be used for a hospital, then you should desist from it now because the Anti-Quackery Committee will get you
" We are going beyond just Obio/Akpor and Port Harcourt areas. We are going to places far away from the main cities. The moment the Committee gets you, you will be arrested and prosecuted", Dr Tamunokuro warned.