A disturbing discovery was made at a health facility in Komkom, Oyigbo, Rivers State, where it was found that the clinic, managed by two foreigners and a Nigerian, had been recycling syringes and needles, posing a significant risk to patients.
This illegal practice led to the immediate closure of the facility by the state government.
Dr. Adarze Oreh, Rivers State Commissioner for Health, announced the closure during a press briefing, revealing that the Komkom clinic was one of six health facilities recently shut down as part of an anti-quackery initiative spearheaded by the Ministry of Health.
Established in April, the Anti-Quackery Committee aims to identify and eliminate illegal medical practices in the state, which pose grave health risks to the public.
According to Dr. Oreh, the facility’s operations were in direct violation of health standards, jeopardizing patient safety with reused medical equipment, malpractice known to increase the risk of infections, including HIV and Hepatitis.
“The reuse of syringes and needles in any medical setting is not only a breach of ethical medical practice but a serious public health hazard,” Oreh stated.
Among the other establishments shut down was a clinic in Ogale, Eleme, which was unregistered and operated by an individual lacking the qualifications for proper medical supervision. This facility was also running educational programs aimed at training unlicensed practitioners, further raising concerns about the spread of quackery in the region.
In Aleto, Eleme, another unlicensed facility run by a retired nurse with a PhD was discovered. Despite her academic qualifications, the nurse lacked the legal certification required to operate a medical center and had been conducting training programs for unqualified individuals. A separate illegal clinic, also in Aleto, was found to be operating under similar conditions.
The health commissioner lamented the growing trend of illegal medical establishments relocating to the outskirts of the state capital, seeking to evade regulatory scrutiny.
“These facilities not only endanger lives but also perpetuate the cycle of quackery by training others in substandard and dangerous medical practices,” Oreh emphasized.
The government’s crackdown is part of an ongoing effort to ensure that only certified and legally compliant medical practitioners operate within Rivers State. Dr. Oreh reiterated the government’s commitment to safeguarding public health, urging all illegal operators to seek proper certification or face the full weight of the law.
The commissioner also highlighted that the state’s contributory health insurance scheme, launched earlier this year, is fully operational, providing residents access to affordable, quality healthcare services. She encouraged the public to take advantage of the scheme, which is designed to reduce reliance on illegal and dangerous medical services.
As the Rivers State government intensifies its efforts to root out illegal medical practices, residents are urged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious health facilities to the appropriate authorities.