Korede Abdullah 
RIVERS, Nigeria – The Rivers State Government has sealed 21 illegal health facilities across four local government areas and arrested three people following an enforcement operation that uncovered suspected baby trafficking and other regulatory violations.
Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Health, Dr Vincent Wachukwu, disclosed this on Monday during the ministry’s third-quarter press briefing in Port Harcourt.
He said the enforcement followed surveillance reports indicating that more than 150 facilities were operating without registration or adequate regulatory supervision.
According to Wachukwu, the 21 facilities sealed comprised eight hospitals, five maternity homes and eight diagnostic centres across Port Harcourt, Obio/Akpor, Ikwerre and Etche.
He said 19 of the facilities were unregistered and operating below minimum standards, while another registered facility allegedly had no licensed doctor or nurse.
A joint operation involving the Ministry of Health and the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons uncovered suspected child-trafficking activities at Manda Clinic and Maternity in Elelenwo.
Wachukwu said a Liberian national reportedly told investigators that three children had been procured from the facility within one month.
The clinic, according to the ministry, had no registration or licensed medical practitioners. Its operators were arrested by NAPTIP.
Other facilities shut during the operation included Vasty Clinic, Danny Clinic, Daba Clinic, Kambel Hospital, Havilla Hospital, Golden Era Hospital and Ola-Oluwa Hospital.
Wachukwu said one operator, identified as Isaac, claimed to have trained in Ukraine but did not have a licence from the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria.
He added that Sunday Ogundele, operator of Ola-Oluwa Medical Centre, was arrested and handed over to the police over alleged impersonation. “The Rivers State Ministry of Health is fully committed to its regulatory function and is committed to eradicating quackery from Rivers State as part of our mandate on health security,” Wachukwu said.
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Oluwatobi Adu 
Hope Ajayi 
