Emmanuel Nlewedum, Port Harcourt
In its efforts to sanitise the health sector, the Rivers State Ministry of Health has sealed eight health facilities and arrested four persons for quackery, impersonation and operating unregistered facilities.
The Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Health, Dr. Vincent Wachukwu, in a statement made available to newsmen in Port Harcourt, said the arrests and sealing were made during the Ministry’s Health Facility Inspection and Enforcement drive for the month of October 2026.
Dr. Wachukwu said highlight of the exercise was the discovery of an illegal health facility operating within a residential compound at No. 27 Victoria Street in Port Harcourt.
According to him, two suspects, Mr. Ataisi Jephtha and Mrs. Mgboawaji Edwin, were apprehended right on the operating table while attempting a thyroidectomy on an unsuspecting victim.
“Mr. Ataisi Jephtha who parades as a surgeon and his accomplice were immediately arrested while the facility was sealed up,” Wachukwu said.
He stated that five other hospitals and two laboratory centres were also shut down during the exercise for operating below minimum standards and without registration.
Recall that the Ministry had last week sealed 21 illegal health facilities across the state and arrested two persons, including a quack Ukrainian doctor parading as a medical consultant.
Dr. Wachukwu warned that the Ministry would not relent in its clampdown on quackery, adding that even licensed practitioners operating in unregistered and substandard facilities are liable to penalties as prescribed by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria, MDCN, guidelines.
He reiterated the commitment of the state government to rid the health sector of quacks and protect unsuspecting residents, urging members of the public to patronise only government-approved and registered health facilities.
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