The Rivers State Ministry of Health says it has sealed six medical facilities operated by unqualified personnel and allegedly linked to child trafficking activities across the state.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Vincent Wachukwu, disclosed this on Tuesday in Port Harcourt while briefing journalists alongside members of the Anti-Quackery Committee.
He said seven persons were arrested during investigations and inspections carried out at the affected facilities.
Wachukwu said the operation forms part of an ongoing joint effort by the Ministry of Health, the Nigerian Medical Association, and allied health bodies to curb quackery in Rivers State.
He added that the campaign is aimed at sanitising the health sector and protecting residents from unsafe medical practices.
“This fight has been on for the past 2 years and some months and we have made some very significant progress,” he said.
Wachukwu said the committee has been actively inspecting hospitals and diagnostic centres across the state, leading to arrests and ongoing prosecutions.
He noted that the fight against quackery remained difficult, saying operators often resist enforcement actions.
“As you fight, they fight back. It’s just like corruption. You fight corruption, corruption fights back,” he said.
He insisted that despite resistance, the committee is making progress with the support of stakeholders and the media.
Wachukwu said the crackdown covered several local government areas beyond Port Harcourt and Obio/Akpor.
He explained that many of the affected facilities were exposed through whistleblowers and community reports.
“Some of them are identified by neighbours who come to the ministry to report unwholesome activities,” he said.
He added that investigations revealed that many of the facilities were run by untrained and non-accredited practitioners.
The sealed facilities included PLARIV Hospital in Omoku, Good Shepherd Hospital in Omoku, and Blessed Good News Clinic in Port Harcourt.
Others are Estate Clinic in Oklahoma Estate, Obio/Akpor; a Patent Drug Shop in Ndele, Emohua; and Eldona Hospital in Elekahia, Obio/Akpor.
Wachukwu said a recent police operation at Eldona Hospital led to arrests over alleged child trafficking and illegal operations.
He also revealed that seven individuals were arrested during the broader enforcement exercise.
The permanent secretary disclosed a fatal case involving a 20-year-old secondary school graduate in Emohua.
He said the victim died after receiving treatment at an unregistered patent drug shop in Ndele.
“She went in and then the woman injected whatever she injected to her and this girl died. She died,” he said.
Wachukwu said the operator fled the scene but would be tracked down and prosecuted.
“We will ensure that she is arrested and she is being prosecuted,” he added.
Wachukwu reiterated that all medical outreaches in Rivers State must be approved by the Ministry of Health.
He warned hospitals, NGOs, religious bodies, and individuals against conducting unauthorised medical services.
He also commended security agencies, including the police and civil defence, for supporting the anti-quackery campaign.
He said the government remained committed to continuing the crackdown across the state.
