The Rivers state interprofessional anti-quackery committee has sealed four health facilities across for alleged malpractice and failure to meet regulatory standards.
The team, led by Vincent Wachukwu, director of medical services, carried out unscheduled visits following reports of unsafe practices.
The affected health facilities were identified as Mercy Clinic & Maternity, Divine Crest Medical Centre, SOSAN Medical Centre, and Critical Care Patients Initiative.
The panel said it got an alert from the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH) concerning the handling of an ovarian cancer case at Mercy Clinic and Fertility.
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According to Wachukwu, the facility, a residential apartment converted into a 10-bed hospital, was found to be operating without certification, qualified nurses or proper infection control measures.
The facility was subsequently sealed, while Miller Awori, the proprietor, was invited to the ministry of health.
At Critical Care Patients Initiative, the committee found that the operator, identified as Dr Fonjong, “had no valid practising licence and was carrying out specialist surgeries without proper support”.
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Reports linked the facility to the death of a patient after multiple surgeries. The centre was sealed, and the doctor referred to the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) disciplinary committee
The committee also sealed Mother Florence Hospital, Clinic & Maternity, following reports that it was involved in “crypto pregnancy and child trafficking”.
Officials said occupants fled on arrival of the team, leaving the building abandoned.
Wachukwu said the exercise was part of the anti-quackery mandate of the state’s ministry of health, in collaboration with the NMA and allied health workers.
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